ECI bars Gujarat BJP from using ‘Pappu’ in electronic media advertisement

The party would replace the word and submit a new script for the Commission’s approval, says BJP leader

The Gujarat BJP’s advertisement script was submitted last month to the Election Commission for approval.

The Election Commission of India has reportedly asked the Bharatiya Janata Party to drop the word ‘Pappu’ from its electronic advertisement, prepared by the Gujarat unit of the party, to target Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

The word ‘Pappu’ is often used on social media to ridicule Mr. Gandhi.

According to sources, the BJP has since replaced the word with ‘Yuvraj,’ after which the advertisement was cleared by the Commission.

Political parties are required to take the EC’s permission before releasing any electronic or print advertisement during the polls, when the Model Code of Conduct is in place. “In several instances, some changes were suggested by the committee which monitors print and electronic advertisements,” a senior EC official said. The official refused to say whether any change in the BJP’s script had been suggested.