EC refuses to ban Sudeep's films, TV appearances

Election authorities in Karnataka have declined to interfere with Sandalwood star 'Kiccha' Sudeep's film and television appearances, as demanded by the JDS over his campaigning for the ruling BJP, saying there is no law prohibiting any such telecast under the Model Code of Conduct.

They said they had received a similar complaint from the Advocates' Association as well, asking them to ban the actor's film screenings, and that they forwarded the complaints to the Election Commission of India.

"We had received guidelines in the beginning from the Election Commission, saying that except in government-run media like Doordarshan and Akashvani, we should not prohibit films or television spots of any celebrities involved in political campaigning," chief electoral officer Venkatesh Kumar R told ET.


The JDS wrote to the EC, saying that featuring Kiccha Sudeep's films, posters and advertisements till the end of the upcoming assembly election can influence voters, as he is recognised as the BJP's star campaigner.