Why EC objected to the word ‘pappu’ in BJP’s Gujarat poll advertisement

'No 'pappu' in your advertisement', the Election Commission of India has told the BJP. The EC felt that the use of the word 'pappu' is derogatory.

"Pappu" is perceived as a social media slur coined to target Gandhi.

Confirming the development, sources in the BJP said the script of the advertisement did not link the word to any individual.

BJP sources while confirming the development said that the objection was raised by the media committee under the Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer.

"Before making any election-related advertisement, we have to submit a script to the committee to get a certificate. However, they raised an objection to the word 'Pappu', saying it is derogatory. They asked us to remove or replace it," a senior BJP leader said.

He said the party will replace the word and submit a new script for the EC's approval.

"Since there was no direct mention or linkage with any person while mentioning 'Pappu' in the entire script, we had appealed to the committee to reconsider their decision, but they rejected it. Now, we will change that word and submit a new script for approval," he said.

Gujarat CEO BB Swain said he was not aware of any such development and can comment only after getting the details.

OneIndia News