EC tells J'khand BJP to take down objectionable advt
Ahead of the second and final phase of polling in Jharkhand on November 20, the Election Commission has taken a stern view of an “objectionable and divisive” ad against the ruling JMM-led alliance by state BJP and directed the state poll chief to ask the party to take it down from all social media platforms.
The order came on a complaint against the “malicious and misleading ad” by the JMM and Congress. The EC has also asked state BJP to explain the violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) on allegations that the objectionable posts are replete with misleading information and could unduly influence voters by creating a sense of hatred and enmity against the JMM and its leaders.
Earlier, the Congress wrote to the EC, demanding the blocking of Facebook and X accounts of the Jharkhand BJP and ordering it to take down “communal, divisive and malicious” videos on its social media handles.
Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh also wanted the commission to direct the registration of an FIR against all individuals involved in the operation and control of the BJP Jharkhand’s state unit and its social media accounts.
Ramesh, in a memorandum submitted to the EC, stated it should intervene to take action against the Jharkhand BJP for not taking down a video against which the Congress had filed a complaint on November 10. He said while an FIR was registered, the social media posts still remained online.
In a video post, the BJP made allegations against top leaders of the JMM, Congress and the RJD, saying they were anti-tribals. In his second complaint to the EC, Ramesh claimed that in its latest video, the BJP was trying to build a false narrative against members of a particular community and unduly influencing voters and dissuading them from voting for any Opposition party.
Fir sought
Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh also wanted the EC to direct the registration of an FIR against all individuals involved in the operation and control of the BJP Jharkhand’s state unit and its social media accounts.
