Rudy fires GoogleAd missile at Nitish

Image
Press Trust of India Patna
Last Updated : Nov 01 2015 | 8:13 PM IST
A day after Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar sarcastically asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to educate his ministers on the functioning digital world, Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy today alleged that a GoogleAd was published in a Karachi-based newspaper between October 20 and October 31 to influence voters in Bihar in favour of Kumar.
"A PR agency or media managers of Nitish Kumar had indeed advertised GoogleAd in the Pakistani newspaper 'The Dawn' which ran the said publicity material as scrawl which can be verified on the search engine's URL, called http://support.Google.Com/adwords/answer/2470108?hl=el," he told reporters.
One can post an advertisement on the said Google URL by giving details about the place, sections of people, newspapers readership, leadership and geographical area, Rudy said, slamming the Chief Minister for his assertion that the said advertisement was a GoogleAd which could be used by any media organisation anywhere in the world.
Claiming that the advertisement was displayed in scrawl on the e-edition of Dawn newspaper between October 20-31 last and withdrawn last evening upon hue and cry raised by NDA, the Union Minister asked Kumar to explain that if it was GoogleAd, then why was it withdrawn in haste.
The search engine's URL was also blocked to prevent anybody from seeing the GoogleAd in the Pakistani newspaper, he said.
Charging the senior JD(U) leader with spending crores of rupees on advertisement in the international media over election-related publicity and not declaring the same with the Election Commission, Rudy asked the former to apologise to the BJP leaders for questioning their knowledge of digital world as well to the people of Bihar.
Alleging that the said GoogleAd showcased Kumar's desperation to cling to power by hook or crook, the Union Minister upbraided him for seeking help of Pakistan to influence voters in Bihar.
Describing the Chief Minister's conduct as unethical, he demanded resignation of Kumar and asked him to tender an unconditional apology on the issue.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Nov 01 2015 | 8:13 PM IST

Next Story