After Shiv Sena, Congress files complaint over Aamir Khan advert

State Election Commissioner JS Saharia said the appropriate steps will be taken after examining the complaints and proofs submitted

Calling an advertisement published in a section of the print media on polling day a blatant violation of the code of conduct, the Maharashtra Congress registered complaint with the State Election Commission on Wednesday.

Mumbaiites queue up to cast their votes during the BMC polls at Shivaji Nagar on Tuesday. (Arijit Sen/HT)

The party demanded action against the BJP, the NGO Mumbai First, and actor Aamir Khan who featured in the ad.

In his complaint, Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said the advertisement published by Mumbai First, featuring Khan, highlighted the BJP’s election planks of “change” and “transperancy”.

The complaint states the advertisement was a bid by the party, in connivance with the NGO, to influence voters on the day of the elections.

“One can establish the fact from the information available on the website of the NGO that the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is closely associated with them. As political advertisements were banned after 5.30pm on February 19, the NGO issued the advertisements in its name to help BJP on polling day,” the complaint reads.

State Election Commissioner JS Saharia said the appropriate steps will be taken after examining the complaints and proofs submitted.

Mumbai First’s CEO Shishir Joshi, while refuting the allegations, said the ad was aimed at getting more people to vote and had nothing to do with the agenda of any party.

Aamir Khan draws flak

Bollywood star Aamir Khan drew flak for not voting and for merely appealing to the people to vote for better governance and change. Khan was out of the country, believed to be busy shooting his forthcoming film. RTI activist Anil Galgali termed Aamir’s act hypocritical, saying the actor did not make a point to vote before appealing to others to exercise the franchise.

Aamir’s wife Kiran Rao, however, cast her vote at a polling booth in Bandra West on Tuesday.

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BMC polls: Aamir Khan ad promotion of BJP? Maharashtra Congress to approach election commission