Can’t use advertising as political bribery or inducement: Arun Jaitley

Union information and broadcasting minister, Arun Jaitley on Friday cautioned against the practice of “excessive and selective” advertising by political parties and governments, pointing out that it needs to be examined how this practice can amount to “political bribery”.

Union information and broadcasting minister, Arun Jaitley on Friday flagged the practice of “excessive and selective” advertising by political parties and governments, pointing out that it needs to be examined how it can amount to “political bribery”.

Union minister Arun Jaitley during an interview with Hindustan Times at his office in North Block, New Delhi. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)

Without naming names, the minister who also holds the portfolio of finance, took potshots at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi for introducing what he dubbed as “selective and excessive” advertising.

“If today any state gets the right to disburse excessive and selective advertising, a trend which is being witnessed for the first time, under which friends are rewarded and opponents punished…when does such advertising become political bribery or political incentive?” he questioned.

The AAP government in Delhi has come under sharp attack from the BJP for its large spending on advertisements.

Underling the need for a debate on the issue, which he warned could be replicated by other states as well, Jaitley said: “Those who are critical of the ideology, which I support, their stunning silence (on the issue) is most eloquent.”

On the issue of free speech and media freedom, he said censorship could not be imposed anymore.