In a recent development out of New Delhi, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has given the green light to the campaign melody of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This decision follows the party’s alterations to the song, as confirmed by officials familiar with the matter. AAP legislator Dilip Pandey, credited with both the lyrics and vocals of the composition, affirmed the approval on the day of Friday.
Earlier in the timeline, on April 28, the party had asserted that its campaign anthem titled “Jail ka Jawab Vote se Denge” had been “prohibited” by the Election Commission. However, officials from the Delhi poll body clarified that AAP had been requested to revise the song’s content due to breaches of the Election Commission’s directives and advertising protocols.
One official elucidated that subsequent to the party’s adjustments, they resubmitted their proposal to the CEO’s office, leading to the eventual approval of the song. The composition had initially debuted the preceding month.
Addressing the matter in a post scripted in Hindi on a platform known as X, Pandey remarked, “Truth may face hurdles, but it shall not succumb! ‘Jail ka Jawab Vote se’ transcends mere campaign rhetoric; it encapsulates the prevailing sentiment among the populace. Thus, truth has ultimately triumphed, securing the Election Commission’s endorsement for the song’s utilization during the elections. Satyamev Jayate!”
Insiders privy to the dealings at the Delhi CEO’s office divulged that the song hadn’t been outright banned. Instead, AAP had been directed to resubmit their proposal with specific amendments in compliance with the Advertising Codes stipulated under the Cable Television Network Rules of 1994, alongside guidelines and norms disseminated by the Election Commission in a missive dated August 24, 2023, for certification.
The Delhi electoral authority contended that certain expressions in the original melody were defamatory and contained unfounded criticism of the incumbent political party, while also casting doubt on the judiciary and law enforcement. Meanwhile, AAP’s contender for the New Delhi constituency, Somnath Bharti, has voluntarily relinquished several prominent roles, including his positions within the Delhi Development Authority and the vice-chairmanship of the Delhi Jal Board, as well as a non-official membership on the Board of Visitors to Delhi Prisons, according to a statement issued by the party.
“While these positions do not strictly fall under the purview of ‘offices of profit’ as per legal statutes, Somnath Bharti has chosen to step down from these responsibilities,” the party asserted. Bharti is slated to formalize his candidacy filing on Saturday.
