HC slams EC for inaction over BJP ads

The Election Commission has “grossly failed” to address complaints about violations of the model code of poll conduct, Calcutta HC said while hearing Trinamool Congress’ petition against BJP’s allegedly offensive poll ads. Restraining BJP from publishing material that violates the model code, Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharya held a string of advertisements issued by BJP on May 4, 5, 10 and 12 in sections of the media as “derogatory” and “slanderous”. He said such ads must be barred in the interest of free, fair and untainted elections. “Any resolution adopted by EC after June 4 (day of LS poll result) means nothing,” Bhattacharya said, responding to TMC’s allegation that the poll panel had been sitting on its complaints.