elction commission

EC to play Censor role on Social media campaigning

  The Central Election Commission has issued guidelines to all political parties over using Social media for their parties’ election campaigning. Political parties and their candidates will have to provide an account for the money spent for election campaigning on blogs, websites, social network sites like Twitter, Face Book etc. and other forums like YouTube and virtual game worlds etc.   The EC issuing these guidelines asked the political parties to get their Advertisements certified by it before going to social media, in other words EC wants to play Censor Board role in this regard. EC asks the political parties and their leaders to furnish the full details of their accounts related to party campaigning on these social media.   The parties or their candidates have to submit an affidavit stating the details of their social networking accounts and email IDs. It also categorically stated that all the legal provisions relating to election campaigning apply to social media also the way they have been applied to any other form of election campaigning using any other media.   Also all the provisions of election code of conduct will apply to the content being posted on the Internet, including social media websites, by candidates and political parties.   “No political advertisements are to be released on any internet-based media/websites, including social media websites, by political parties/candidates without pre-certification by competent authorities in the same format,” orders the commission.   EC said it is discussing with the government about the content posted by people or entities other than the candidates and their parties.

jagan

Jagan efforts to revamp YCP in Telangana

  It is evident that YSR Congress party is desperate to attract Seemandhra people with its Samaikyandhra agitations. Hence, despite all odds it is gearing-up for a huge meeting ‘Samaikya Shankaravam’ at Hyderabad on October 26th that is tomorrow.   A significant change in YSRCP attitude also can be noticed in picking-up this idea. Ever since, the meeting was announced, Jagan Mohan Reddy is trying to bring back his Telangana leaders to party fold in an attempt to revamp party position in Telangana again. Probably he decides so, because he realized it was a hasty decision to jump out of Telangana, while TDP is still operating there.   Knowing that there are good number of people across Telangana is opposing bifurcation if, he could attract them to his meeting, it will not only boast the spirits of his party but also puts his party ahead of TDP in Telangana. Further, if he could draw enough people to his meeting from Telangana region, he can boldly step into the region to revamp his party.   There are number of leaders, who couldn’t join TRS, TDP, BJP or Congress parties due to certain obligations were seen back at YSRCP office discussing with him about his Samaikyandhra meeting. However, Jagan’s decision to return to Telangana may not yield any fruits for his party because of the so many ‘U’ turns he takes during a short span of two months. He may realize in a later time that he lost his credibility, at least as far as Telangana is concerned.  

Congress-Nitish honeymoon over

  The honeymoon period of Congress and JD (U) appears to be over with leaders of both parties start shooting arrows at each other. The arrest and disqualification of RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav makes the ruling JD(U) more confident than ever and made it believe that an alliance with scandal-hit-Congress party may only help it to tarnish Nitish Kumar’s clean image, who is also eyeing Prime Minister Post.   At the same time, Congress which has good terms with Lalu Prasada Yadav foresees a sympathy vote for RJD and hence sent its MP Abhijit Mukherjee (son of president Pranab Mukharji) to pay a courtesy visit to Lalu Prasada Yadav. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar also understood that the Congress is keeping the RJD very much in its loop for future political alignment.   Further union minister Jairam Ramesh’s remarks made against Nitish Kumar gave a blow to their relations. Ramesh said “The state government needs to improve its administrative capacity for utilization of the funds sent from New Delhi, before asking for more funds or special status for the state.” Hence, it is like beginning of ending of their relationship.   So, JDU gave its consent to attend ‘Chitan Shivir’ to be held at Rajgir between October 28-29,” where non-Congress and non-BJP parties will meet to chalk-out a plan for forming 3rd Front. The representatives of JD(U), CPI, CPI(M), AIADMK, SP, BSP, BJD (Odisha CM Navin Patnaik’s party) and Nagaland People’s Front will participate in these two day convention. However, there was difference of opinion over inviting TDP and YSR Congress parties to these crucial meetings, since TDP is moving towards BJP and YSRCP towards Congress party.   If, these parties could give an outline for Third Front, then it will be official about snapping of relations between Congress and JD(U).