'Using Public Money To Influence Polls': BJP Approaches ECI Over K'taka Govt's Ads In Telangana

Telangana Election 2023: A BJP delegation, led by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, submitted a complaint to the Election Commission urging action against the Congress over Karnataka government's advertisements

File Photo of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav

Source : Twitter/@BJP4India

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the Congress government in Karnataka of attempting to influence the upcoming Telangana assembly polls through advertisements in the state's media. A delegation from the BJP, led by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, submitted a complaint to the Election Commission of India (ECI), urging action against the Congress for alleged violations of the Representation of the People Act and the Model Code of Conduct, news agency PTI reported.

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, addressing reporters, asserted that the Karnataka government, led by the Congress, had been publishing advertisements in English and vernacular media of Telangana for the past two days.

He deemed this a "corrupt practice aimed at influencing polls" and emphasised that it demonstrated the opposition party's disregard for democratic institutions and norms. Yadav called for legal action against the Congress, stating, "What the Congress has done is using public money to influence elections in another state."

"A high-level delegation met the Election Commission in relation to an event around Telangana polls. Congress continues to devalue the democratic institutions and values and they did the same in Telangana. It is unfortunate that the Congress, in the last days of campaigning, violated the model code of conduct," the Union minister said, as quoted by PTI.

BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi questioned whether the Karnataka government's advertisements covered all Indian languages. If not, he argued, such actions would be in violation of rules. Trivedi contended that both the Congress and the Karnataka government should be held accountable for their actions. Another BJP leader, Om Pathak, urged the Election Commission to take effective actions to send a clear message.

The BJP demanded legal action against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and other members of his government and the Congress.

The BJP's complaint cited the Model Code of Conduct, noting that advertisements highlighting welfare schemes and government achievements in non-polling states, where elections are underway, are considered a violation.

The complaint comes as Telangana gears up for assembly polls scheduled for November 30, with a competitive contest expected among the ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi, Congress, and BJP.

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