Election Commission seeks report from Information and Broadcasting Ministry on launch of NaMo TV

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has sought a report from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry on the sudden launch of NaMo TV. The channel was launched after the Model Code of Conduct came into effect.

Some people are claiming that it is owned by the ruling BJP. However, its ownership is still unclear. 

Based on complaint filed by Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, Election Commission of India has sought a response from I&B ministry on 24-hour channel 'NAMO TV'. pic.twitter.com/16Jj4AtKIZ

— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2019

Earlier on Monday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) wrote to the poll panel complaining against the Namo TV, asking the poll panel if political parties having TV channels was in adherence to the Model Code of Conduct.

The Arvind Kejriwal-led party asked the EC if the BJP had sought approval for the launch of the channel, which has Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photograph on its logo and runs all his speeches.

"Can permission be granted to a party to have its own TV channel even after the Model Code of Conduct is enforced? If no permission was given by the ECI, then what action has been taken," the AAP said in its letter to the Election Commission.

The party also asked if the ruling party had approached the Media Certification Committee, established to certify the contents and cost of a telecast. "If not, why show-cause was not issued for the violation of the MCC," asked the letter sent by the AAP's legal cell.

The party also asked if the ruling party had approached the Media Certification Committee, established to certify the contents and cost of a telecast. "If not, why show-cause was not issued for the violation of the MCC," asked the letter sent by the AAP's legal cell.#

The Congress in Madhya Pradesh has also lodged a complaint with the Election Commission demanding suspension of NaMo TV channel telecast.

State Congress spokesman Neelabh Shukla said 'NaMo' television channel would be telecasting speeches of the PM, his rallies, besides the statements and programmes favouring the BJP.

"NaMo is the abbreviation for Narendra Modi. With general elections round the corner, the BJP has started this channel which amounts to violation of the model code of conduct. We demand that the election commission immediately stops broadcasting on the channel," Shukla told reporters.