JOIN USThe Election Commission has clamped a ban on publication of two controversial advertisements printed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Bihar where Assembly polls are on.
In a advisory sent to Chief Electoral Officer of Bihar Ajay Naik, the Commission has asked him to ensure that the two advertisements are not published in any newspaper or journal till the election process is over.
One of the advertisements alleges that RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and JD (U) leader Nitish Kumar are “snatching the plate of dalits” by planning to transfer the quota meant for dalits and EBCs to minorities. Another advertisement deals with “vote ki kheti” (vote bank politics).
It claimed that RJD, JD(U) and Congress leaders are “giving sanctuary” to terrorists to appease a particular community for votes.
The two advertisements have already been published prominently in Hindi dailies brought out from Patna. Both the Congress and JD(U) have complained to the Election Commission against the advertisements and demanded action against the BJP.
Separately, the EC also directed all the parties to submit a copy of their advertisement related to elections to the chief electoral officer. Besides, the EC also said that the Chief Electoral Officer can direct newspapers in Bihar not to publish advertisement by political parties which have potential of disturb harmony in society till the completion of the election process, said the EC direction.