Full-page BJP ads make an appeal to vote for the ‘Lotus Symbol’

Voters in Karnataka were greeted with “an appeal” from Bharatiya Janata Party chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa urging them to choose the “Lotus Symbol” and make the party’s candidates win. The “appeal” came in the form of an advertisement across the front pages of top English and Kannada dailies.

Meanwhile, the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) have placed ads in select Kannada dailies in the inside pages.

These ads come at a time when the Model Code of Conduct is in effect in the state. According to Section 126(1)(b) of the Representation of People Act, “the display to the public any election matter by means of cinematograph, television or other similar apparatus” within the 48-hour period prior to end of polling is prohibited. “Election matter” is anything that is “intended or calculated to influence or affect the result of an election”. However, the law is silent on print advertisements that are not paid for by the exchequer. The Election Commission vets advertisements two days before elections. This provision was put in place after the 2015 Bihar Assembly elections where the BJP had placed an inflammatory advertisement during the second phase of Bihar elections.

The BJP’s ad blitzkrieg in the run-up to the Karnataka Assembly elections has been noteworthy and beats its competitors in terms of spend and visibility.