Ad wars on the eve of Delhi Election

New Delhi: In the election heat, no loophole is being spared to be attacked in terms of advertising, campaigning and promotion of political parties by their competitors.

Meanwhile, the ad wars took a turn when AAP questioned and lashed out at BJP for giving ads on the front page of various leading newspapers where NaMo government’s achievements are listed it has asked people to vote for the Assembly polls on 7th Feb.

“Today Delhi has seen that every paper has a front page advertisement given by BJP. In my opinion this is clear-cut violation of the EC guidelines and the Model Code of Conduct,” AAP leader Ashutosh said.

“My question is that if such ads are not allowed on TV after the campaigning process has ended, why should they be allowed in newspapers? The law should change. If widely circulated papers carry such ads then it will certainly influence minds of people,” he said.

Mr Ashutosh also tweeted, “questioning BJP’s source of funding behind these advertisements.”

“From where BJP gets money to give front page adverts in every newspaper. These ADs are most expensive and costly,” he tweeted.

“Every paper in Delhi is carrying front page BJP advert. What is the source of money? AAP’s fight is Ag money power,” Ashutosh said in another tweet.

To the allegations, BJP spokesperson GVL Narsimha said, “AAP’s claim that the advertisement is violation of poll code, I believe is ignorance from their side. Either they do not know about the law or Model Code of Conduct or they are making such statements deliberately to remain in news.”

“The ad just talks about the positive agenda of BJP which the party wants the public to know. There is no violation of any kind. Such ads can be given till the day of polling,” he added.

On Feb. 2, Aam Aadmi Party issued a two-hour deadline to Bharatiya Janata Party over its controversial advertisement in newspapers. The advertisement mocked AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal threatening to disrupt Republic Day celebrations and later complaining that he was not issued a VIP pass.

AAP leaders including Kejriwal alleged that the advertisement was casteist in nature.

“What has happened to BJP? First they targeted my children. I remained silent. Annaji had said one should have capacity to tolerate but BJP’s ad in today’s newspapers has crossed all limits,” Kejriwal said.

Post this, Kejriwal called for an emergency party meeting at his residence.