Biju Ramesh, who announced his candidature on April 4, has now as many as 20 KSRTC buses displaying his advertisements through Thiruvananthapuram city, where he is contesting as a candidate of All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). This he managed, despite a a strict clause by KSRTC to advertisers that no advertisements on religion or election should be carried. The businessman managed to get around the rule by displaying an advertisement of Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry greeting him for his victory. The sticker has a large smiling image of Biju Ramesh with folded hands, a typical election poster.
Chakra Communications, which has taken the advertising contract for KSRTC buses, plans to use more buses in the coming days. “We are getting a lot of enquiries from other candidates to do a similar advertisement. But we cannot put up an election advertisement which is against the deal with KSRTC,” said Vinod R, founder of Chakra Communications. He said a similar plan to advertise for LDF has also been shelved. This means that KSRTC buses will be carrying the advertisement of Biju Ramesh only. Officials of the KSRTC has been cautious about this. “We have given a contract of Rs 3.5 crore to the advertising agency for three years. They have advertising rights for 5,600 buses of the Corporation,” said an official.
News : The New Indian Express
