“Second time in a row after kicking off poll campaign in Punjab, Aam Aadmi Party has been seen spending crores of rupees in glorifying Delhi government and that too in complete violation of Supreme court’s verdict.”
What began with celebrating first anniversary of Arvind Kejriwal government in Punjab, seems to have no end. During Kejriwal’s Punjab tour, AAP was again seen splurging massive amount on glorifying their deeds. Delhi government could have spent this amount on development work on the National capital but instead went on a self-promotion drive.
Advertising or paid news
It is pertinent to note that Delhi government has earmarked massive Rs 526 crores annually for advertising where as Punjab government’s ad budget is meager 27 crores. AAP has already spent more than Punjab government’s annual budget on highlighting their “achievements”.
AAP is issuing misleading ads in all the major newspapers of the region. Ads in the form news clippings are put with small caption ‘advt.’ at the bottom. Quotes, testimonials, illustrations and photos are incorporated to make these look authentic.
AAP government has been spending Public money on its advertising campaigns, which include campaigns across print, television, radio and outdoor publicity. AAP government selected around 50 prominent Daily newspapers across India in different languages for Kejriwal’s advertisement for his ‘big day’ of completion of one year in government.
Violation of Supreme Court
AAP has clearly violated the guidelines of the Supreme Court as Supreme Court had prohibited the use of photographs of political leaders in advertisements issued by any government and its agencies.
Supreme court in its verdict announced in May, 2015 has said that taxpayers’ money cannot be spent to build “personality cults” of political leaders and restrained ruling parties from publishing photographs of political leaders or prominent persons in government-funded advertisement. The apex court, however, permitted the use of photographs of the President, Prime Minister and Chief Justice of India.
Arvind Kejriwal government in last one year has spent hundreds of crores, and for one-year ‘celebration’ it spent exorbitantly. While voters of Punjab have already rejected Kejriwal and protests are marked his Punjab visit, he is trying to save his skin by resorting to massive advertising in the state.
Punjab Politics 