Cost of running NaMo TV channel to be added to BJP’s poll bill

Sanjiv Kumar, Additional Chief Electoral Officer, Gujarat, said, “The ECI has clarified that if any star campaigner of any party does any kind of election propaganda through any electronic media (TV, radio or other), even if he or she happens to be a candidate of any constituency, it will be considered as party expense only till the time the star campaigner does not use his or her constituency’s name or appeal to vote for him. If the star campaigner uses his/ her constituency’s name, the expense will be counted as his/ her personal expense. All such appeals made in the media to vote for his/ her party in general to the voters will be considered as party expense only.’’

Modi is the most important star campaigner for the BJP in the upcoming elections, so going by the EC’s version any expense made by him on NaMo TV will be counted as the BJP’s expense.

The channel had received broadcasting clearance from the Election Commission of India about two weeks ago. Considering complaints lodged by Gujarat Congress, the Chief Electoral Officer, Gujarat, had sought clarification from the ECI last week. The state BJP had also asked for clarification on the issue a few days ago.

Last week, Anita Karwal, Chief Electoral

... contd.