NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Sunday directed the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jharkhand to ensure the removal of the contentious post from the BJP’s official social media platforms following complaints from the Congress and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha.
In addition to the takedown directive, the EC issued a notice to BJP Jharkhand, seeking an explanation for the alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The CEO was instructed to expedite the removal of the objectionable content in coordination with the state’s designated authority under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act.
The video in question reportedly depicts a JMM supporter’s house adorned with party banners and a poster resembling Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, bearing the caption: “Pure Jharkhand ka kaya palat kardenge” (We will completely transform Jharkhand). The footage then shows individuals from a specific community entering the house unannounced, allegedly with the intent of forcibly residing there.
The INC and JMM have claimed that the video is riddled with baseless allegations and falsehoods, accusing BJP Jharkhand of attempting to influence voters by fomenting hatred and enmity against JMM leaders.
The controversy in Jharkhand comes amid heightened scrutiny over MCC violations during the ongoing Assembly polls. On Saturday, the EC sought responses from BJP president JP Nadda and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge regarding complaints against their respective star campaigners.
The BJP has filed complaints against Rahul Gandhi, while the Congress has raised objections to remarks made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah during campaign speeches. Both party leaders have been asked to respond to the allegations by 1 pm on Monday, November 18, 2024.
The EC reminded the party presidents of its advisory from May 2024 during the Lok Sabha elections, urging them to ensure that their star campaigners and leaders uphold public decorum and adhere to the MCC in letter and spirit.
Jharkhand has completed voting for the first phase of its Assembly elections, covering 43 out of 81 seats. The remaining 38 seats, alongside Maharashtra’s 288 constituencies, will go to the polls on November 20. The counting of votes for both states is scheduled for November 23.