BJP brings PM in firing line next

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is the latest to invite the charge of attempting to polarise the Gujarat electorate on communal lines. The BJP has filed a complaint with the Election Commission against the prime minister and others for publishing an advertisement, announcing sops for the minority community.

In its petition, the BJP alleged that the advertisement issued by the Ministry of Minority Affairs is “an attempt to woo voters of a particular community and violation of model code of conduct”. The Ministry of Minority Affairs had put out a half-page advertisement on Sunday, two days ahead of the first phase polls in the state, titled, “Prime Minister’s new 15-point programme for the Welfare of Minorities”. The BJP said the advertisement is explicitly directed at minorities and specifies names of religions like Muslims, Christians and others.

“The content of the advertisement and the timing of its release are aimed at using religion to woo a section of voters. It attempts to achieve polarisation on the basis of religion and it is a surrogate political advertisement calculated to give political advantage to the Congress party,” BJP has said in its compliant.

Besides the prime minister, the BJP has demanded that action should be taken against minority affairs A R Antulay. The advertisement says that “Government of India offers free coaching to students and candidates belonging to minority communities in approved coaching institutes” and elaborates on details of how to get government resources for education.