With the Model Code of Conduct coming into force from October 25, political hoardings are absent from majority of the city streets and lanes. The district administration with the help of Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has ensured the removal of such hoardings either through white sheets or placing a commercial advertisement.
Hoardings of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), Congress, AJSU party and Jharkhand Sangharsh Morcha covered with white sheet showcasing ad-agency’s contact details were found at prominent areas of the state capital on Thursday including Dhurwa, Hinoo, Doranda, Ratu Road, Harmu, Main Road, Kanke, Kutchery and Morhabadi. Some were torn while others were completely removed. However, posters of leaders conveying greetings for various festivals and welcoming their national leader were visible around the campus of fisheries department and towards Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) stadium. Small flags with party symbols were seen near Argora Chowk and Birsa Chowk.
Asked about the reason, Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) senior leader Kamaal Khan said, “We have directed all the district offices to follow the norms of election commission in order to avoid cases of violation. Even if it is a small pamphlet or banner, we have instructed our party men to remove.” Notably, BJP has deployed two members at its legal cell and two members at the media cell for keeping a watch over such activities and aware the party men about the guidelines under model code of conduct.
Similarly, AJSU youth leader Sandeep Verma informed they have requested concerned advertisement agency of all localities to remove hoardings and small advertisements from every lane. “It is not possible for our labourers to find hoardings and other advertisements everywhere so we have requested advertisement agencies to remove our party ads where ever they have installed. Besides the request we are paying them accordingly for completing their job,” he added. District administration on the other hand has framed its Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) to go through the publicity agendas of political parties in newspapers, radio or television. “Political parties have to take the permission of MCMC before placing an advertisement. Also they will have to pay some amount as per rules and regulations. As far as the watch on hoardings is concerned, RMC is working on it effectively,” Sub-Divisional Officer Amit Kumar.
