Karnataka govt ads in Telangana trying to sway voters, BJP tells EC

Karnataka govt ads in Telangana trying to sway voters, BJP tells EC

NEW DELHI: BJP on Monday said the Congress government in Karnataka has been putting out advertisements in the Telangana media with an eye on the assembly polls in the state, and urged the Election Commission to take action against the party.

A BJP delegation, including Union minister Bhupender Yadav, former minister Prakash Javadekar and party leaders Sudhanshu Trivedi and Om Pathak, submitted a complaint to the EC, saying Congress has violated the Representation of the People Act and the Model Code of Conduct.

Yadav told reporters that the Karnataka government has been publishing advertisements in English and vernacular media of Telangana for the past few days.

Citing poll rules and regulations, he said it is a “corrupt practice” aimed at influencing polls and asserted that such an action is another evidence of the opposition party devaluing democratic institutions and norms.

BJP has urged the EC to take action against Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and other related members of his government and the Congress.

What Congress has done is using public money to influence elections in another state, he said, calling for legal action.

Trivedi asked Congress if the Karnataka government published advertisements in all Indian languages and, if not, its action is violative of rules. “Congress and the Karnataka government should be held accountable,” he said.

Pathak said the EC should take effective actions to send out a clear message.

“All election laws and rules expressly prohibit the use of government machinery or funds to run party campaigns so much so the parties and candidates are not even allowed to address pressers in government buildings. This is a case of an absolute abuse of government resources and public funds to promote the party’s interest and run its campaign,” BJP told the EC.

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