AN UNDOCUMENTED WONDER : The Making of the Great Indian Elections

by S.Y. Quraishi

Ruling parties across the spectrum resort to publicizing the achievements of the government with full page advertisements in newspapers, magazines and on TV channels at huge expenditure, all borne by various ministries and departments of the government. This usually happens a few months before the announcement of elections when the Election Commission cannot intervene. Once the schedule is announced, the Election Commission ensures that all such advertisements involving abuse of public money for political gains are stopped forthwith. However, a new dimension has come to light recently after the phenomenon of ‘paid news’ raised its ugly head. Since the ECI has become vigilant in controlling election expenditure, candidates have started striking prior deals with media houses. The agreement works like this: I, the candidate or party, will give you, the media house, ads worth so many million rupees before the MCC comes into force; you will do stories in my favour without any charge as soon as the MCC becomes operational. This way nobody will catch you or me!