BJP replaces Pappu with Yuvraj in Gujarat poll ad after Election Commission rap
After the poll panel barred the ruling BJP in Gujarat from using the word Pappu in an electronic advertisement, calling it derogatory. The party has replaced the term with Yuvraj.
In Short
- Pappu is perceived as a social media slur coined to slam Rahul Gandhi.
- EC termed the mention of pappu in Gujarat poll campaign ad derogatory.
- Gujarat goes to polls in two phases - on December 9 and 14.
After a reprimand from the Election Commission, the BJP has replaced the name Pappu (a term used as a swipe at Rahul Gandhi) with Yuvraj in Gujarat election campaign ads.
The development comes after the poll panel barred the ruling BJP in Gujarat from using the word 'pappu' in an electronic advertisement, calling it "derogatory".
"Pappu" is perceived as a social media slur coined to slam Rahul.
Earlier, the BJP, in its defence, had said that the script of the advertisement did not refer to any individual.
According to BJP sources, the media committee under the Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) objected to the word mentioned in the script of the advertisement which was submitted by the party for approval last month.
EC ASKED BJP TO REMOVE OR REPLACE TERM 'PAPPU'
"Before making any election-related advertisement, we have to submit a script to the committee to get a certificate. The panel objected to the mention of the word 'Pappu', saying it is derogatory. They asked us to remove or replace it", a senior BJP leader said.
He said his party would replace the word and submit a new script for the Election Commission's approval.
"Since there was no direct mention or linkage with any person while mentioning 'Pappu' in the entire script, we had appealed to the committee to reconsider their decision, but they rejected it. Now, we will change that word and submit a new script for approval", he said.
(WITH INPUTS FROM PTI)
WATCH | BJP replaces Pappu with Yuvraj in this controversial Gujarat poll ad