Gujarat Congress complaints to SEC over BJP's TV and radio commercials

The Congress on Wednesday moved the State Election Commission seeking immediate withdrawal of commercials on radio and television purportedly by the BJP, which it said is violation of the model code of conduct in force for forthcoming elections to local bodies.

In a written complaint to the election commission, the Congress alleged that various schemes for students, entrepreneurs and cancer patients mentioned in these ads are labelled as initiatives of BJP, which is not right.

"This is a violation of the model code of conduct under which you cannot lure voters by offering them financial help. This is termed as corrupt practice. Thus, we have filed a complaint with the SEC today to immediately stop the telecast of these ads," State unit Congress General Secretary Nishith Vyas stated in his complaint to SEC.

"The ads being aired on TV and radio claim that various schemes to help students and other citizens are floated by the BJP. Technically, these schemes are initiated by the state government and not by the party," he said.

Vyas termed the advertisements as an attempt to "lure" voters by offering them some kind of financial help.

"In one of the TV commercials, it is claimed that BJP is providing Rs 10 lakh as financial assistance to students. In another ad, cancer patients and entrepreneurs can be seen receiving financial help from Chief Minister Anandiben Patel," he said.

The polling for 31 district panchayats, 230 taluka panchayats and 56 municipalities is slated for November 29.