Delhi polls: AAP objects to BJP's ad in newspapers; EC says nothing wrong

New Delhi, Feb 6: The front page BJP advertisement in various national newspapers on Friday triggered a controversy with Aam Aadmi Party alleging violation of Model Code of Conduct but the Election Commission found nothing wrong in it.

AAP took exception to the advertisement which listed the achievements of the Narendra Modi government and asked people to vote for it in the Delhi Assembly polls.

"Today Delhi has seen that every paper has a front page advertisement given by BJP. In my opinion this is clear-cut violation of the EC guidelines and the Model Code of Conduct," AAP leader Ashutosh told reporters.

"My question is that if such ads are not allowed on TV after the campaigning process has ended, why should they be allowed in newspapers? The law should change. If widely circulated papers carry such ads then it will certainly influence minds of people," he said.

EC, however, found nothing wrong in the newspaper advertisement, with a senior official saying the BJP has not violated any law.

"Section 126 of the Representation of the People (RP) Act, 1951 bars display to the public any election matter by means of cinematograph, television or other similar apparatus. It is not applicable to the print media. This is what Parliament has decided," the EC official said.

He pointed out that the previous UPA government had planned to check "election day advertisements" in newspapers by amending the RP Act.

The issue was referred to the Law Commission which was already examining the larger issue of electoral reforms. The law panel is likely to submit its report next month.

PTI