New Delhi, April 3: The Madhya Pradesh unit of the Congress party sent nine audio-visual advertisements for approval in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections. But Election Commission of India (ECI) has disapproved six of them. All the six Congress ads had a mentioned about Rafale deal. According to reports, the ECI objected to the ads because of their reference to Rafale deal as the matter is sub judice.

While the ECI disapproved six ads, it has given its nod to 12 other ads of the Congress party. Some of Congress's advertisements were rejected because of the way disabled persons were depicted in them. "There were a few other objections, too. Apart from these six advertisements, 12 others have been approved by the certification committee," sources told a leading daily. NaMo TV Channel Launched by BJP: Election Commission Seeks Explanation From I&B Ministry After Complaint From AAP and Congress.

Madhya Pradesh's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) VL Kantha Rao said the Congress party can appeal against the decision. "There is a set procedure for pre-certification. If any party is aggrieved, they can always appeal," Rao was quoted as saying. Reacting to the ECI decision, state Congress media cell in-charge Shobha Oza said: "We will appeal against all the objections by the certification committee to our advertisements."

Yesterday, Tamil Nadu police seized copies a book on Rafale deal ahead of its launch in Chennai. Initially, it was reported that the book was seized following ECI's order, however, the poll panel clarified that no such directive was issued. Consequently, copies of the book were returned.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi has been targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government over the Rafale deal with France and asking why a 70-year-old defence public sector company Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) was ignored for manufacturing the fighter jet.

Gandhi has also questioned how the cost of one aircraft, which was Rs 540 crore when the UPA government had signed the deal, rose to thrice its value to Rs 1,600 crore under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government at the Centre.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 03, 2019 12:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).