EC issues notice on 'surrogate ads' against PM, Sonia

Lucknow, Apr 6 (UNI) The Election Commission has issued notices to concerned officials on a surrogate advertisement campaign in newspapers on the crime situation in Congress-ruled states.

State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Anuj Kumar Bishnoi said that the district authorities have been asked to check the people behind the ad.

''We can say about the issue only after the authorities reply to our notice'', he said.

UP Congress had complained to the Election Commission about the advertisements and had 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.

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 read.

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

Meanwhile, the EC has also sought an explaination from Lucknow authorities on the use of red beacon fitted vehicle by state sports minister R K Chouhdury while going to file his nomination papers for the assembly polls yesterday in the state capital.

UNI