Bengaluru: The Election Commission has asked the pre-certification committee to reconsider the content of three election-related advertisements issued by the BJP and ordered television networks, radio channels, social media and other digital media to restrain from airing the advertisements.

The order issued by the Karnataka Elections State-level Media Certification and Monitoring Committee on Friday was based on a complaint by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, which took objection to the advertisements — Jana Virdohi Sarkara (anti-people government), Viphala Sarkara (failed government) and Mooru Bhagya (three Bhagya — schemes launched by the Congress government).

In its complaint, the Congress had objected to these visuals and had sought action against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief Amit Shah and State unit chief B.S. Yeddyurappa, who are responsible for publishing the advertisements.

The committee has been told to reconsider the content and pass appropriate orders within 24 hours.

Partisanship

Shobha Karandlaje, BJP general secretary, said the party had been airing the television commercials for the election campaign after due permission from the regional office of the Election Commission and the recent order to stop them smacked of partisanship.