Congress complains against TV channels over poll code

Mumbai, April 8 (IANS) The Maharashtra Congress on Monday demanded strong action against Zee TV and ‘&TV’ private entertainment channels for allegedly violating the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections.

A party delegation of led by state General Secretary Sachin Sawant called on the Chief Election Officer of Maharashtra and lodged a formal complaint, pointing an accusing finger at the Bharatiya Janata Party in the matter.

Specifically naming teleserials like ‘Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hai’ and ‘Tujhse Hai Raabta’ for violating the election codes, the Congress pointed out that these and other daily soaps are wilfully promoting government policies and schemes with the intent to benefit the BJP.

“The BJP has now become a charalatan and using all deceptive, illegal means to influence the voters. Since the past few weeks, teleserial with high TRP ratings are being used for this purpose. There are no disclaimers that these are ‘advertisements’, thus cheating the viewers also,” Sawant told IANS.

He said that schemes like Mudra Yogana, Swachcha Bharat Abhiyaan and others are being embedded as scenes in the teleserials to project these as ‘key achievements’ of the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an attempt to sway the voters.

“We have also submitted video clips of these teleserials in which the actors are seen indirectly campaigning for the BJP for its various schemes, policies. We feel this methodology directly fits the definition of ‘Paid News’ and hence are liable for action,” Sawant urged.

Besides, the Congress teams are also scanning other popular teleserials on several entertainment channels in Hindi and vernacular languages to ascertain the extent of the surreptitious campaign taken up the BJP through this medium, he said.

“Sensing imminent defeat, the BJP is stooping to the lowest possible levels with such tactics. We have demanded action against the channel owners as well as the producers, directors, actors and the BJP,” Sawant said.

–IANS
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