BJP spends RS 44.42 cr in four months on advertisements ahead of Karnataka polls; reveals RTI
Bengaluru: Ahead of the Karnataka Assembly polls, the previous BJP government spent Rs.44.42 crore in four months between December 1, 2022 and March 29, 2023 on advertisements in the print and the electronic media, The Hindu reported.
The Department of Information and Public Relations revealed the information in response to a Right to Information Act (RTI) query filed by activist Rajesh Krishnaprasad from Puttur.
However, specific details on the names of media houses in which the government spent to place the advertisements were not provided by the department, reports Indian Express.
According to the information received, on print media, the government spent Rs.27.46 crore and on the electronic media, Rs.16.96 crore to promote their initiatives and counter campaigns by opposition parties such as the Bharat Jodo Yatra and Mekedatu March and others.
The BJP lost the elections securing 66 seats, while the Congress won 135.
Krishnaprasad told The Hindu that even though it is typical for any government to spend on such advertisements to raise awareness about its schemes, spending excessive money of taxpayers during elections just to woo voters is wrong.
The activist questioned the expenditure that went nearly Rs.50 crore by the previous government on specifically targeting the opposition party.
“The BJP has spent nearly Rs 50 crore and some of the ads were placed only to criticise the Opposition. How can the government exchequer spend money on this?,” he asked.
“I asked the breakdown of the expenses incurred on various media houses from the information officer, but it was not provided,” he said.
Speaking to The Indian Express, BS Shivanna, Karnataka Congress general secretary described it as a crime and alleged that public money was looted by the Bommai government.
“Generally, the government issues advertisements to publicise its schemes. But BJP used it as a tool politically to counter opposition campaigns. If you see, they gave negative advertisements to shield themselves. The public money has been looted by the previous BJP government,” he said.
On the other hand, Ganesh Karnik of the BJP defended saying the amount spent is not huge compared to Delhi government, who had spent more on government ads and with competitive ad pricing, such costs are common.
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Bengaluru: PUC student dies by suicide, hours after results were declared
Bengaluru (PTI): A second-year Pre-University Course student allegedly died by suicide at her residence here, hours after the exam results were announced, police said on Friday.
Tanushree (17), a science student, reportedly failed in three subjects, which is suspected to be the trigger behind her taking such an extreme step, they said.
However, no suicide note was recovered from the spot, except her hall ticket, which was found lying on the bed.
According to police, the incident came to light on Thursday around 3.30 pm, shortly after the results were announced.
She hung herself from the ceiling fan when no one was at home. Her mother had gone to work, a senior police officer said.
Citing preliminary inquiry, the officer said it is a clear-cut case of suicide. She was apparently distressed over failing in three subjects and had also called her friends to discuss the same.
When she did not respond to their calls and messages later, her friends decided to check on her, he said.
Based on her mother's complaint, a case of unnatural death has been filed, with Hebbal police investigation indicating it to be a case of suicide, police added.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
