In 3 months ahead of elections, previous Karnataka govt spent Rs 44 cr on ads: RTI

The Department of Information and Public Relations revealed the information in a response to an Right to Information (RTI) query filed by Rajesh Krishnaprasad, an activist from Puttur. However, specific details regarding the media houses on which the previous BJP government spent its advertising budget were not provided by the department.

According to the department, the government allocated Rs 27.46 crore for print media and Rs 16.96 crore for electronic media to promote their initiatives and counter campaigns by opposition parties such as the Bharat Jodo Yatra and Mekedatu March.

Rajesh Krishnaprasad said, “It is common for governments to allocate funds for advertising to raise awareness about schemes available to the public, but it is wrong to spend taxpayers’ money ahead of the elections solely to woo voters.”

The RTI activist questioned the government’s decision to spend nearly Rs 50 crore, with some ads specifically targeting the opposition party.

“I asked the breakdown of the expenses incurred on various media houses from the information officer, but it was not provided,” he said.

Speaking to The Indian Express, BS Shivanna, general secretary of Karnataka Congress,described it as a crime. “Generally, the government issues advertisements to publicise its schemes. But BJP used it as a tool politically to counter opposition campaigns. If you see, they gave negative advertisements to shield themselves. The public money has been looted by the previous BJP government,” the Congress leader said.