Hyderabad
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a notice to the Karnataka Government for violating the model code of conduct in Telangana. The violation occurred when the government issued advertisements in several newspapers published from Hyderabad, promoting its welfare schemes and achievements. The ECI has asked for an explanation and has directed the government to immediately stop such advertisements.
The ECI sent a letter to the Chief Secretary of the Karnataka Government on Monday, with copies sent to the Chief Electoral Officers of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The letter, signed by Principal Secretary Avinash Kumar, noted that the Commission received complaints from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi on November 25 and the Bharatiya Janata Party on November 27 regarding the government’s advertisements in Telangana newspapers from November 24.
The ECI’s records show that no approval was granted for these advertisements, nor were there any pending applications from Karnataka for such approval. The issuance of advertisements promoting the welfare schemes and achievements of the Karnataka Government in newspapers circulating in poll-bound Telangana is a clear violation of the Commission’s guidelines.
The ECI has asked the Chief Secretary of Karnataka to provide an explanation for the violation by 5 pm on Tuesday, November 28. Additionally, the government has been directed to stop the publication of such advertisements in Telangana.