Peta for action against candidates using animals for campaigns

New Delhi: Taking exception to the use of animals such as donkeys and camels by candidates in Delhi poll campaign, Peta, an animals rights organisation today sought disqualification of such contestants for "violation" of animal rights.
"It is inexcusable for those running for public office to use animals to garner attention for their campaigns," Peta's chief functionary Anuradha Sawhney said.
She referred to reports that some candidates were riding on buffaloes and donkeys while proceeding to file nomination papers. Bringing the issue to the notice of EC, the organisation pointed out, "animals hold no political party, nor did the buffalo used in this stunt have a vote in the polls."
The organisation has asked the Commission to initiate action against the candidates for not only violating its directives but as well as animal rights.
The EC has placed a ban on the use of animals in poll campaigns and earlier in 1998 had directed Railway Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav to stop using pigeons for his election campaign, Sawhney said.
In fact, following opposition from the animal rights group, the EC has banned the parties from using animals as poll symbol. The directives came much after the Bahujan Samaj Party had managed to get the 'elephant' as a poll symbol. PTI