Aamir’s vote appeal in ad irks Oppn

Tribune News Service

Mumbai, February 21

Actor Aamir Khan has been drawn into a controversy over his public appeal asking people to come out and vote in today’s election to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

Sponsored by an NGO, Mumbai First, which has links to several corporate houses, the appeal published as advertisements in major newspapers reminds voters that their votes contribute to “Good governance to fast-track development initiatives and partnership with civil society” and “Accountability and Transparency in decision making and expenditure”.

The Congress and NCP have alleged that the ad is a subtle endorsement of the BJP which has aggressively used words like “good governance, accountability and transparency” in its poll campaign. “We will file a complaint with the EC since the ad violates the poll code,” Congress’ Sachin Sawant said. Parties are not allowed to advertise in the media 48 hours before the beginning of elections.