Cong charges SP of sponsoring surrogate advertisement

Lucknow, Apr 5 (UNI) The Congress today charged the ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh with sponsoring a surrogate advertisement campaign in newspapers on the crime situation in Congress-ruled states.

The party has also complained to the Election Commission about the advertisements and has asked it to ensure that the cost of the campaign is paid for by the SP.

The letter sent by Congress has also lamented use of ''derogatory'' portrayal of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi through caricatures.

The Congress claimed that the advertisements, issued by Rashtrashanti Lok Manch, was in violation of the model code of conduct. ''The organisation named in the advertisements should come with the explanation on as to who sponsored the ads... It is clear that the advertisement campaign being run is sponsored by SP,'' the letter reads.

The advertisement appeales to the electorate to look at the crime figures in other states vis-a-vis Uttar Pradesh before casting their ballot.

UNI