The Congress has complained to the Pune electoral authority over the distribution of “Viksit Bharat” pamphlets

As per an official statement on Thursday, the Maharashtra Congress has lodged a formal protest with the Pune collector about the distribution of ‘Viksit Bharat’ pamphlets in the Karve Nagar neighborhood of the city.

 

According to PTI, MPCC vice president Mohan Joshi filed a complaint against the distribution of these pamphlets to Collector Suhas Divase, the returning officer for the Pune Lok Sabha seat. Joshi cited the pamphlets as violating the model code of conduct.

Joshi said that the Election Commission had sent directions to the Union government last month requesting that they stop the propagation of “Viksit Bharat” propaganda, as per the PTI report.

Joshi suggested taking quick action and emphasized the need to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the origins and methods of dissemination of these materials.

The PTI report further noted that resident district collector Jyoti Kadam confirmed receiving the complaint and said it had been sent to the relevant assistant returning officer for additional action.

Under the “Viksit Bharat Sampark” scheme, the Election Commission ordered the Union government on Thursday to cease sending mass WhatsApp messages to people right away. The instruction was sent to the Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in response to the EC’s concerns.

According to the Election Commission, “The action is part of a series of decisions taken by the Commission to ensure a level playing field.” The Commission requested a “immediate” compliance report on the matter from the ministry and assurances from the government that “no further delivery” of the mass WhatsApp messages to people would occur.

The ministry had informed the EC that the letters and the message from Prime Minister Modi were issued prior to the Model Code of Conduct being into force on March 16, the day the schedule for the Lok Sabha Elections of 2024 was revealed.

Schedule of Lok Sabha Elections in 2024

The dates for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were released by the Indian Election Commission on March 16. The polls will take place in seven stages. Phase I of the elections is scheduled to begin on April 19, 2024, and conclude on June 1. The results will then be made public on June 4.

The National Democratic Alliance, headed by the BJP, and the India group, which is made up of opposition parties like the Congress, seem to be at odds with one another.