THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Advertisements on KSRTC buses and radios highlighting the LDF government’s achievements became a key point of discussion at a meeting convened by Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)-Kerala Rathan U Kelkar with representatives of political parties ahead of the elections.
While opposition parties like the Congress said it was a violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), the CPM opposed it. Congress leaders Mariapuram Sreekumar and MK Rahman raised the issue in the meeting and demanded that the poll panel look into it to ensure “a level playing field” for all parties.
CPM’s AA Rahim argued that the state government’s advertisements on KSRTC buses were not part of the campaign as it did not use any election symbols. He drew a parallel between KSRTC advertisements and Union government advertisements on trains. “If there is a problem with advertisements on KSRTC buses, then it also applies to advertisements on trains running in Kerala. Will the poll panel be able to address this as well?”, asked Rahim
Kelkar said that this matter will be examined according to the guidelines issued by the Election Commission for the implementation of the CEC.
On the security front, he said 30 companies (approximately 3,000 personnel) of the central armed police force have arrived in the state and are engaged in area dominance exercises in sensitive areas.
