Representation aginst using CM's photos in publicity vans

The Madras High Court today directed the Election Commission to consider a representation made by social activist "Traffic" Ramaswamy raising objections for using photographs of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa by the Ministry for Information and Public Relations in the state in 32 high tech publicity vans.
Considering the representation, the First Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Pushpa Sathyanarayana said "we are of the view that the matter is within the domain of the Election Commission."
"It is for the Election Commission to dispose of the September 30 representation probably within a period of one month from the receipt of the copy of this order, the judges said.

Ramaswamy contended that the ruling AIADMK was misusing the power without expending a single paisa from their party funds or from the Chief Ministers pocket focusing the achievements of the Chief Minister at the cost of Public Tax Payers Money.
He submitted that the State Information Department has introduced 32 high tech publicity vans fitted with LED screen and with a big size photo at a cost of Rs 20.8 crores focusing the Chief Minister's achievements with a view to canvass vote for the next assembly elections.
The government is spending public money for their advertisement which is unconstitutional, he said.

He prayed that the amount spent for the decoration for the vehicles must be collected from the AIADMK with penalty for making publicity for the party.