New Delhi, Apr 3 (NIE): The ministry of information and broadcasting has told the Election Commission that NaMo TVis not a licenced channel but a direct-to-home advertisement platform.

The Election Commission had taken notice of the launch of NaMo TV ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and sought a report from the ministry of information and broadcasting.

In its reply to the EC, the I&B ministry said the party [BJP] is incurring cost of the advertisements, sources said.

NaMo TV, a 24-hour TV channel broadcasting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's election campaigns, was launched on March 31.

Along with the ministry of information and broadcasting, the Election Commission had also written to Doordarshan asking them how it ran an hour-long live broadcast of PM Modi’s public address Main bhi chowkidaar’ on March 31.

Named after the Prime Minister with his picture in its logo, the Namo TV apart from running live broadcast of his rallies, also streams compilations of his speeches ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

The Congress and AAP have raised the matter with the EC asking why was such a channel launched after the model code of conduct came into force.

Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP, in a letter said the channel went against the principle of creating a level playing field for all parties, a prerequisite for elections according to Supreme Court of India and the Election Commission of India.

"But defying this cardinal principle Bharatiya Janata Party has launched a 24-hr channel NaMo TV," the letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner from AAP's legal cell said.

"Who will monitor the contents of the telecast. Did BJP approach the Media Certification Committee established to certify the contents of the telecast and the cost?" the letter asked wondering why showcause notice was not issued in the matter.

"If no permission sought by EC then what action has been taken in this regard?" it asked.

The Congress also wrote to the Election Commission and said NaMo TV, earlier called Content TV, was dedicated "solely to the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and BJP for promoting and advertising the achievements of the government, personal achievements of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, political rallies of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and broadcasting interviews of prominent BJP leaders.

The party, in its second memorandum, raised the matter of news shows on Doordarshan live broadcasting Modi’s 'Main Bhi Chowkidaar' event.