Maharashtra suspends publicity blitz

In the wake of Election Commission expressing displeasure over the BJP-led NDA using tax payers' money for its publicity blitz ahead of the general election, the Maharashtra government on Tuesday suspended its publicity campaign with immediate effect.

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The state government is suspending its Rs 50 crore publicity campaign, highlighting the works of Democratic Front government with effect from Wednesday, Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said after addressing Congress workers in south Mumbai.

Shinde had on Monday sharply attacked the BJP-led NDA's government's advertisement blitz. Asked about DF coalition's publicity campaign, he had stated, "Compared to the NDA's expenditure, the money spent by the DF is Negligible."

Even the Shiv Sena-BJP opposition combine had blasted the state government for spending a 'huge amount' of money at a time when parts of the state are reeling under severe drought for the third consecutive year.