EC switches off Mahajan’s TV poll plan, says no use of airwaves

In its note, the commission observed that ‘‘the judgement of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which had struck down the Commission’s orders dated August 20, 1999 to ban political advertisment on private channels, does not strike down Rule 7 (3) of the Cable Television Networks Rules 1994, which prohibits advertisments on cable networks.’’ The ban on using radio also stays in place.

At an informal meeting today, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said his party would respect the EC’s orders.

In fact, it was his ministry which had raised the issue of political advertisements on private channels, pleading its inability to monitor the content.

‘‘The Ministry does not have the mechanism to monitor the content of political advertising across all the channels in the country,’’ said Prasad, seeking the EC’s advice.

On the Centre’s Shining India campaign, which has been criticised for its use of public funds, Prasad said the advertisements would stop once the model code of conduct comes into effect.

The BJP had earlier defended the campaign by stating that it was on the achievements of the NDA Government and not a single political party.