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Ban Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece 'Saamna' till civic polls are over: BJP tells Election Commission

Party alleges Saamna’s Sambhajinagar (Ahmadnagar) edition violated model code of conduct by publishing articles to “influence” voters, EC to examine the issue today.

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Sanjay Raut, Saamna’s editor
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Taking its rivalry with Shiv Sena to another level, the Bhartiya Janta Party on Wednesday approached the Maharashtra state Election Commission to seek an “immediate ban” on the Shiv Sena’s mouthpiece Saamna on 16, 20 and 21 February citing violation of the code of conduct by the Marathi daily. 

To back its allegation, the BJP has presented the copy of Saamna’s Ahmednagar edition (called Sambhajinara) published a day ahead of the Zilla parishad election which allegedly had content to “influence” the voters in Shiv Sena’s favour. BJP has also demanded strict action against the editor of the paper. 

The state Election Commission has agreed to examine the issue. JS Saharia, election commissioner, Maharashtra told DNA, “A call on the petition would be taken on Thursday.” 
The petition also seeks a probe from the poll watchdog of whether Sena includes the expenses of Saamna in its electoral expenses. 

The controversial piece is allegedly about “transparency” in civic bodies, a major poll plank of the BJP. 

Citing a revision of rule by the SEC for the print media in September last year, Shweta Shalini, BJP leader told DNA, “We have demanded that the poll body impose a ban on publishing any influencing piece in Saamna before the civic elections. If that can’t be ensured, then the SEC must ban the paper till 21 February.” 

Shalini says, “The rules are clear, parties can’t advertise a day before and on the day of elections. Saamna has violated the rules. Since it is the mouthpiece of Shiv Sena, a ban is must.” 

Meanwhile, Sanjay Raut, Saamna’s editor and Sena MP said, “The Muslim league, Pakistan and some terrorist organisations have demanded a ban on Saamna in the past. If the BJP is following their footsteps, we have to test their DNA. By the way, have they declared the Emergency?”

When pressed for clarification on specific charges of violation of code, Raut said, “The state Election Commission, not the BJP will decide whether we violated the rules.”  

 

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