War of poll tele-ads comes to an end

Express News Service
First Published : 03 Mar 2009 04:23:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 03 Mar 2009 02:27:57 PM IST

HYDERABAD: Curtains were down on the unhealthy war of advertisements on regional news channels this evening.

As the election code came into force, all the parties stopped telecasting the advertisements immediately.

The ad-war started almost two weeks back, with political parties resorting to all types of personal abuses and filthy language. The war was mainly between the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Congress which showed TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in poor light.

With the election code in force now, the political parties will have to refer the advertisements to a committee constituted by the EC before releasing them.

If any party telecasts the advertisement without the screening of the EC’s committee, the party and the TV channel will be liable for punishment.

TDP TO MOVE COURT: Meanwhile, the TDP is planning to move court protesting against the Congress releasing an advertisement in which the animated image of NTR was seen supporting the ruling Congress.

Speaking to reporters here today, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu wondered how could NTR support the Congress. He said his party would move the court with a request stop further telecast of the advertisement.