SC verdict on government ads against federal system: Kerala

The Congress-led UDF government in Kerala on Friday came out against the recent Supreme Court verdict banning photos of political dignitaries in government advertisements, as not in tune with federal system.

"We disagree with the judgement, but will implement the order," State Minister for Information and Rural Development K C Joseph told reporters here. "We do not agree with the judgement that bans photos of Chief Ministers in government advertisements... If the Prime Minister's photo can be included, what is the reason for banning the photo of Chief Minister?," he asked.

In a federal system, the Chief Minister is the head of the administration in state. "The order that permitted the photo of Prime Minister and disallows that of the Chief Ministers is contradictory," he added.

Joseph questioned the necessity for allowing the photo of Chief Justice of India.

"The order allows the photo of Chief Justice of India to be included in advertisements, what is the necessity for that?" he said. Decrying "personality cult" as an anti-thesis of democracy, the Supreme Court had barred publication of photos of leaders in government advertisements except those of the President, Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of India.