The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : EC allows BJP’s reference to Congress

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Sunday, May 18, 2008
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Karnataka

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EC allows BJP’s reference to Congress

Special Correspondent

BJP suspects Congress hand in naxalite threat
Complaint lodged against ‘Kasthuri TV’ on ‘Kumara Parva’

BANGALORE: The review committee of the Election Commission has allowed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to use the reference to the Congress and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in its three publicity commercials on the impact of price rise.

Earlier, a screening committee headed by Joint Chief Electoral Officer, had deleted the references made in the BJP’s three publicity commercials to the Congress and the UPA Government accusing them of being responsible for price rise.

The BJP, which took exception to such a “censorship”, had filed a petition before the review committee of the Election Commission.

The review committee, which met on Saturday, upheld the review petition of the BJP. In its review petition, the BJP had pointed out that the Congress had been allowed to make positive references to the UPA Government and its party organisation in its publicity commercials. Hence, the fairness would demand that it (BJP) should be allowed to air its views against the Congress and the UPA.

BJP general secretary and spokesperson S. Suresh Kumar told presspersons here on Friday that the party would include the deleted portions in the commercials.

Meanwhile, Mr. Suresh Kumar suspected the role of the Congress in the episode of Naxalites warning voters in Udupi district against supporting the BJP in the polls. He alleged that a Congress worker Umesh Acharya, who had officiated as a polling agent for the Congress in one of the polling stations in the second phase of elections, had been arrested by the police in connection with the case of threatening by Naxalites.

This, he argued, had exposed the Congress’ link with the Naxalites. The BJP leader demanded a clarification from the Congress on the episode and urged that party to spell out its stand on the issue of terrorism and Naxalism.

He accused the Congress of compromising with the country’s security concerns to protect its vote bank.

He said the people of Mangalore and Udupi districts, especially Karkala area, had given their reply to the bullets of Naxalites through their ballets by turning up in high numbers to exercise their franchise. The BJP filed a complaint with the chief election officer on Saturday against Kannada TV channel “Kasthuri” for telecasting a programme titled “Kumara Parva” depicting the activities and development programmes of H.D. Kumaraswamy as Chief Minister.

In the complaint, the BJP alleged that the channel owned by Mr. Kumaraswamy’s wife, had intentionally telecast such a programme on May 15 to benefit the Janata Dal (Secular) in the ongoing polls.

Terming this as a violation of the election code of conduct, the BJP urged the Election Commission to freeze the symbol of the Janata Dal (Secular) in the third phase of polls and initiate action against the channel.

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