Acting on a complaint lodged by the Congress against a surrogate ad shown in two TV news channels, the Election Commission today sent a stern note to the I&B Ministry ‘‘to take appropriate action’’ against ‘‘slanderous’’ surrogate ads against political personalities in violation of the Advertising Code of the Cable TV Networks Act. It further directed the ministry to report back to it by March 29. Issued by one Kamakshi Education Society, the advertisement used rare archival footage to question Sonia Gandhi’s eligibility to lead the Congress party because of her foreign origin. ‘‘The Commission has asked the I&B Ministry to take adequate action (against these surrogate ads) which is violative of the Cable Act. The I&B Ministry has been asked to take appropriate action and report back by 5 pm March 29,’’ the EC spokesperson A.N. Jha said. In the letter, the Commission directed the Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting to take appropriate action under Rule 7 of the Cable TV Network Act which states: ‘‘Advertising carried in the cable service shall be so designed as to conform to the laws of the country and should not offended morality, decency and religious susceptibilities of the subscribers.’’ Referring to the ‘‘decency’’ aspect of the Advertising Code, Jha said, ‘‘Prior to this, the EC had asked all political parties not to indulge in personalised campaign both in regards to recognised national parties and state/regional parties.’’ The EC’s also asked the I&B Ministry to look into the advertisements being aired by the channels in Tamil Nadu recently. Asked if the EC expects the I&B Ministry to take action against surrogate ads allegedly being issued by the ruling party, Jha said, ‘‘There are adequate provisions in the overall advertising code to take appropriate measures on this.’’ On whether the Commission’s directive amounted to a prohibition on such ads, Jha read out relevant portions of the Cable TV Network Rules which gives power to the Centre to ‘‘regulate’’ and ‘‘prohibit’’ offensive ads. The Commission has decided to ask the political parties not to indulge in personal attacks during the all-party meeting on April 6. On the derogatory remarks included in the AIADMK manifesto on Gandhi’s foreign origin, Jha said the Commission is yet to get a reply from the party. Jha, however, refused to comment on the ads released by the BJP showing the PM celebrating the Indian cricket team’s victory in Lahore. ‘‘What about it?’’ he said. Apart from this, Jha said the EC has given permission to the government to release relief funds to affected states, including Kerala where the draught has been declared as a national calamity.
