Assam Congress counters BJP's 'headline advertisement' with one of its own

GUWAHATI: Even as the political mud-slinging continues in Assam in view of the ongoing high-stakes election, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has countered the BJP's 'misleading advertisement' in leading dailies with one of its own that focuses on the party's Five Guarantees.

However, instead of blatantly claiming victory in the first phase polls, as the BJP's advert did, the Congress advertisement focuses on its 'promises', while also asserting that there is a "Congress wave" in Assam.

Talking to InsideNE, Congress spokesperson Bobbeeta Sharma said, "Our content is not like the BJP's. The difference is that they have blatantly proclaimed that they will win the elections in each of the Constituencies in Upper Assam. Some people have might be wise to these tactics, but there is a chance that some people might become. That is the expression in the content. They claimed that they won already and even thanked karyakartas for their efforts. You cannot give an opinion poll. We have used a similar format just to make people aware that it is an advertisement. Now people will understand that it is not actually a headline."

Congress' counter advertisement has appeared in a number of prominent dailies -- including the Assam Tribune, Times of India, Aamar Axom, et al.

ALSO READ: ‘Not a crime’: Mumbai senior citizens says he fed dogs before raping them

The BJP advertisement in question appeared in several prominent dailies on March 28 -- a day after the electorate from 47 Constituencies in Upper Assam exercised their voting franchise.

That same day, the legal wing of the Assam Congress today wrote to the Election Commission of India (ECI), urging it to take action against the saffron party.

The Congress, in its complaint, claimed that advertisement has been published “for canvassing in favour of BlP to influence and deceive the public/voters for the remaining 2 phases of the election.”

It later filed an FIR against BJP national president J P Nadda, his Assam counterpart Ranjeet Dass, and chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

The FIR was lodged with Dispur police station on Sunday night for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), provisions of Section 126A of the Representation of People Act, 1951 and the ECI's directives issued on March 26, APCC Legal Department Chairman Niran Borah said.

Follow us on Facebook