The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Karnataka): The BJP has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against an advertisement by the Karnataka Congress, which the saffron party claims could unfairly influence the upcoming elections. The ad, appearing in leading newspapers under the title ‘chombu’—a Kannada term for “empty promises”—features the image of an empty vessel, suggesting that the Central Government has failed to fulfill its promises to Karnataka.
In their complaint, the BJP described the advertisement as “totally false, malicious, and defamatory,” arguing that it aims to mislead voters by accusing the Central Government of cheating the state. This move comes just days before the first phase of elections, with the BJP expressing concerns over the potential impact on voter perceptions.
The advertisement’s strategic timing and placement on the front pages of major newspapers were highlighted by the BJP as deliberate attempts to sway public opinion against them, violating the Model Code of Conduct and the Representation of the People Act.
Conversely, at a press conference in Hubbli, Randeep Surjewala of Congress defended the campaign. Holding an empty vessel, he accused the BJP-led Central government of offering nothing but empty promises to Karnataka. Surjewala’s remarks underscored the Congress’s narrative of contrasting their ‘guarantee’ model with what he termed the ‘chombu model’ of the BJP, which he mockingly renamed the ‘Bharathiya Chombu Party.’
This controversy highlights the heated exchange between the two major political parties as Karnataka prepares for its upcoming Lok Sabha elections, with the first phase scheduled for Friday and the second on May 7.