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Probe source of funds for ad film: Raj Babbar

Atiq Khan

The Samajwadi Party advertisement features Amitabh Bachchan

LUCKNOW: The president of the Jan Morcha Alliance, Raj Babbar, on Wednesday demanded that the Election Commission of India find out the source of funds for the Samajwadi Party advertisement featuring actor Amitabh Bachchan.

Mr. Babbar said the ad film was being aired on news channels during prime time. The Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee made a similar demand on Tuesday.

Talking to reporters, Mr. Babbar wondered whether Mr. Bachchan was the brand ambassador of Uttar Pradesh or the SP.

If he was the brand ambassador of Uttar Pradesh then in what capacity did he figure in the ad, which was essentially the party's publicity campaign, he asked.

He said the money spent on the ad should be included in the election expenses of the ruling party.

Claiming that TV channels were offered a Rs. 5 crore package per week for airing the ad on prime time, Mr. Babbar demanded that the Commission work out the cost of showing the advertisement during prime time.

Mr. Babbar denied that a written complaint in this regard was sent to the Election Commission.

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Probe source of funds for ad film: Raj Babbar

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