A BJP video featuring a character called “Pappu” has run into rough weather after the Election Commission barred the ruling BJP in Gujarat from using the term in election advertisements. The EC said the word “Pappu”, used mainly by BJP supporters to ridicule Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, was derogatory.
The video is yet to be released, which apparently features a character called “Pappu”, who is depicted as “dumb” and “does not understand the meaning of development”. The video was submitted to the EC for the approval by the BJP’s state media wing last month.
“Before making any election-related advertisement, we have to submit a script to the committee to get a certificate. However, they raised an objection to the word ‘Pappu’, saying it is derogatory. They asked us to remove or replace it,” However, in the wake of the election, the matter has not gone down well with the BJP members.
According to the some of BJP’s leaders, the world ‘Pappu’ in the CD does not link with any person in common and said that this is unfair and this plot has been done to sideline them anyhow.
A party member said yet party would respect EC orders and submit a new copy after replacing the world for 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,” PTI quoted him as saying.
Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer BB Swain said he was not aware of any such development and could comment only after getting the details.