Demands complaint against channels, staff of serials, BJP

The Maharashtra Congress has complained to the State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of violation of the model code of conduct, demanding that a complaint be registered against two television entertainment channels, staff of two serials, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The channels run serials with characters promoting government schemes under the guise of dialogues, the party has said.

In a complaint submitted to the CEO, Sachin Sawant, general secretary of the State Congress, cited dialogues from two Hindi television serials: Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain on &TV and Tujhse Hai Raabta on Zee TV.

“These serials have dialogues in which government schemes are being explained by characters as an advertisement. However, nowhere during the telecast, is it being mentioned that this is the advertisement for a party or an individual. This not only violates the model code of conduct but also falls under the category of paid news,” Mr. Sawant said.

Of the three scenes submitted to the CEO, two are from Bhabiji Ghar Par Hain and one from Tujhse Hai Raabta. In one scene, a female character explains the importance of Ujjwala Yojana, under which LPG connections are given to rural households, to her husband. In another, a male character talks about the importance of keeping the area clean and how one particular leader, without naming anyone, has inspired the country to follow the cleanliness drive.

In the scene from Tujhse Hai Raabta, a female character explains how the Mudra scheme has been beneficial to entrepreneurs.

Dilip Shinde, additional chief electoral officer, said, “Yes, we have received the complaint. We are looking into it.”

Mr. Shinde said explanation will be sought from the people concerned. “If it has been done with permission of the candidate or the political party, then it will be added to the total expenditure of the candidate of the party. If it has been done without anyone’s permission then it amounts to violation of the model code of conduct, and cases will be filed against the individuals concerned,” he said.

The channels’ representatives did not respond to repeated calls for a comment.