Lucknow, March 11: The Election Commission on Saturday had issued an advisory to the political parties to refrain itself from using the images of defence personnel as part of their electioneering campaign and not to politicise the armed forces’ strike, but looks like parties have not taken a serious note of it. Former Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan on Monday, while attacking the opponents, slammed them by saying that this is the first time parties are making deals with the heads, blood and uniform of armed forces for political gains.

Expressing his opinion the above issue, he said, as reported by ANI, “Pehli baar aisa hua hai ki surgical strikes ke naam par vote maange ja rahe hain, yaani faujiyon ki zindagi par vote gine ja rahe hain, ki sarhadon ka bhi sauda hogya hai, khoon ka sauda hogya hai, vardiyon ka sauda hogya hai, saron ka sauda hogya hai. (For the first time, votes are being asked in the name of surgical strike. Votes are being counted on lives of armed forces personnel. Deals are done in the name of the border, and on with the heads, blood and uniform of armed forces for political gains.)” Election Commission Issues Advisory Barring Political Parties From Using Defence Personnel Photos For Campaigning. 

Earlier on Saturday, the EC in its press advisory had stated, “It is pertinent to mention that the armed forces of a nation are the guardians of its frontiers, security and the political system. They are apolitical and neutral stakeholders in modern democracy. It is, therefore, necessary that political parties and leaders exercise great caution while making any reference to the armed forces in their political campaigns.”

“The Commission is of the view that photographs of chief of army staff or any other defence personnel and photographs of functions of defence forces should not be associated with or used in any manner in advertisement/propaganda/campaigning or in any other manner in connection with elections by political parties and candidates,” it added.  Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Schedule: Voting In 7 Phases From April 11 to May 19, Counting And Results On May 23; Check All Dates For General Elections. 

“The Commission calls upon all political parties to advise their candidates/leaders to desist from displaying photographs of defence personnel or photographs of functions involving defence personnel in advertisements or otherwise as part of their election propaganda/campaigning,” the polling body further said.

Even former Navy chief Admiral L Ramdas wrote to the ECI, expressing dismay over the alleged attempts being made to use the Balakot air strike for political gains.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 11, 2019 07:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).