The full-page front-page advertisement put up by Congress on several newspapers now has to stand the test of authenticity. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has demanded that the Congress produce proof related to the corruption claims in the published menu card of the “Trouble Engine Sarkara” ad.
The notice sent out by ECI was to D. K. Shivakumar, the President of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC). The notice stated that Shivakumar should produce evidence regarding the claims made in the ad before 7.00 pm on May 7.
“It is a fair assumption that INC possesses the material/empirical/ verifiable evidence based on which these specific/explicit ‘facts’ have been published, an action which can fairly be assessed to embed knowledge, motive and intent to do so by the author,” the EC notice read.
“The Commission has noted that the allegations and imputations made in the said advertisement are not general. The advertisement, in its very content & format, makes very specific charges, accusing all levels of government machinery (political & bureaucratic) of being, compromised and saleable. This brings into disrepute the entire administration, which has the potential of formenting a feeling of distrust and undermining the legitimacy of the governance system at large, which otherwise, inter-alia, is vital for the smooth conduct of the poll itself,” the letter further stated.
The day before, Tejasvi Surya pointed out the ambiguous and steered the advertising campaign back at Congress. In short, he said that Congress is advertising its own “Corruption Rate Card”.
Appreciation where it’s due!
Congress Party has honestly proposed its Commission Rate Card to the people of Karnataka.
Only thing they have missed out is that you will have to pay protection money in addition to these commissions to save yourself from PFI. pic.twitter.com/ial2V11RK1
— Tejasvi Surya (ಮೋದಿಯ ಪರಿವಾರ) (@Tejasvi_Surya) May 5, 2023
Some of the outrageous mentions in the advertisement are, the CM and Minister posts to cost Rs. 2500 Crore and Rs. 500 Crore respectively, and “Government Deals” with 75% commission on COVID-19 supplies.
According to the ad, Rs. 1 Crore corruption charge applies for BESCOM employee transfer or appointment while it costs a junior engineer Rs. 30 Lakhs for the transfer or appointment. Another category is “Job Rates” which costs Rs. 10 to 15 Crore for a BDA commissioner, Rs. 5 to 15 Crore for KPSC Chairman, Rs. 5 to 10 Crore for a Vice-Chancellor, and Rs. 5 to 15 Crore for SP or DC.
But what matters the most in the ad is a mention of 40% commission on PWD contract. While the Congress could produce evidence for this with Eshwarappa’s case, getting proof for other claims could be a task for the party.
Moreover, they have to submit the proof in under one full day. Some may claim that this is an act of political sabotage. As this ad could also mean baseless defamation of another party, others may claim that the BJP is just defending against a hastily made ad.
A defamation case in fact, could be on the cards as BJP had sent separate letters to Rahul Gandhi, Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar and KPCC demanding an apology and withdrawal of allegations. The BJP demands for that eventuality latest by May 8 morning, otherwise the party would file a defamation case against them.
