Election Commission seeks I&B ministry's report on NaMo TV’s launch

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had written to the Election Commission (EC) on Monday complaining against the recently-launched "Namo TV", asking the poll panel if political parties having TV channels was in adherence to the Model Code of Conduct.

The Arvind Kejriwal-led party had earlier asked the EC if the BJP had sought approval for the launch of the channel, which has Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photograph on its logo and runs all his speeches./ FILE IMAGE

New Delhi: Based on a complaint filed by Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, the Election Commission on Wednesday sought report on Namo TV from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The television channel 'NAMO TV', named after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was launched on March 31 and is available on most DTH platforms. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had written to the Election Commission (EC) on Monday complaining against the recently-launched "Namo TV", asking the poll panel if political parties having TV channels was in adherence to the Model Code of Conduct. The Arvind Kejriwal-led party had earlier asked the EC if the BJP had sought approval for the launch of the channel, which has Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photograph on its logo and runs all his speeches. "Can permission be granted to a party to have its own TV channel even after the Model Code of Conduct is enforced? If no permission was given by the ECI, then what action has been taken?," the AAP said in its letter to the poll panel. It also asked if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had approached the Media Certification Committee, established to certify the contents and cost of a telecast. "If not, why show-cause was not issued for the violation of the MCC?," asked the letter sent by the AAP's legal cell. It said the Supreme Court, in various cases, had held that there had to be a level-playing field for all the political parties and the EC was entrusted with the duty to maintain it. "The intention behind these judicial precedents is to have equal opportunities for all political parties irrespective of money and muscle power, so that all political parties can reach out to the voters. But defying this very cardinal principle, the Bharatiya Janata Party has launched a 24-hour channel, 'Namo TV'," the letter said. The congress party also requested the EC for urgent and necessary directions to the  Information and Broadcasting Ministry and Prasar Bharti (DD news), and further passing of strictures or censures against Modi and the BJP for "using government-owned news channels as a tool to promote and advertise their election campaign". The 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' programme of the prime minister was being broadcast live on DD News and its YouTube channel, and the said programme was even being promoted on the social media handles of DD News.