‘Swachh Bharat paintings a violation of poll code’

Says election observer in West Delhi

An election observer has asked authorities to cover paintings, revolving around the theme of ‘Swachh Bharat’, posted on a school building in West Delhi.

The paintings are a violation of the model code of conduct, said the observer.

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is a cleanliness campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014.

Earlier, the election observer had asked that the ‘

Rashtriya Phool - Kamal (national flower - lotus)’ embossed on a school building wall be covered. The lotus is the BJP’s election symbol.

The paintings and print of ‘Swachh Bharat’ on walls in Government Boys Senior Secondary School in Rajouri Garden area were highlighted by the observer who has further instructed district administration officials and police officials to cover such walls and painting located inside school premises in the West Delhi constituency.

Polling stations

These schools are listed as polling stations in Delhi where people will arrive to cast their vote on May 12.

Earlier, during a visit to other schools listed as polling stations, the observer had asked that photos of Jawaharlal Nehru and B.R. Ambedkar, posted on the walls of the schools, be covered up.

In 2012, the Election Commission had ordered that statues of the then U.P. Chief Minister Mayawati and elephant, the symbol of her Bahujan Samaj Party, be covered up ahead of the Assembly polls.

The same have not been covered this time.