Taking cognisance of these complaints, the Election Commission has issued notices to the producers of respective serials asking them to reply within a day.

Mumbai: Taking a serious note of allegations of promotion of various government schemes on TV serials, the Election Commission has issued show cause notices to their producers on Zee TV and & TV on Tuesday.

Dilip Shinde, additional chief electoral officer, said, “We had received complaints of violation of model code of conduct by promoting government schemes in the serials of Zee TV and & TV. Taking cognisance of these complaints, the Election Commission has issued notices to the producers of respective serials asking them to reply within a day.”

“Further action will be taken after receiving their reply,” said Mr Shinde.

The Congress on Monday had approached the Election Commission demanding a ban on the two channels for allegedly violating the model code of conduct by airing content that praises Central government schemes and ruling party leaders.     

The Maharashtra Congress said the EC should file cases against the makers and actors of the two serials as well as the BJP.

Maharashtra Congress general secretary Sachin Sawant, who led a party delegation to the EC, said it was “shocking” that television serials were being used to “promote” schemes and leaders of the ruling party.