In a letter dated November 17, the ECI instructed Jharkhand’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to ensure the takedown of the video. Complying with the directive, the BJP has since removed the contentious advertisement. The ECI has also sought an explanation from the BJP regarding the alleged MCC violation.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) recently directed the removal of a video posted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Jharkhand, on its social media platforms, citing a potential violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during the ongoing Jharkhand assembly elections.
In a letter dated November 17, the ECI instructed Jharkhand’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) to ensure the takedown of the video. Complying with the directive, the BJP has since removed the contentious advertisement. The ECI has also sought an explanation from the BJP regarding the alleged MCC violation.
The action followed complaints from the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), which accused the BJP of sharing a “misleading and malicious video” on November 16.
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The video allegedly carried communal and deceptive content, captioned “Poore Jharkhand ka kaya palat kar denge.”
The video purportedly showed a house adorned with a JMM banner and a poster resembling Chief Minister Hemant Soren, followed by visuals of individuals from a specific community forcibly occupying the house. The ECI, after reviewing the matter, found the post to prima facie breach the MCC.
As Jharkhand conducts its assembly elections, with polling on November 13, November 20, and results due on November 23, political parties have heightened their social media campaigns. However, the BJP’s controversial post on its X handle ignited debates over its content.
The ECI also invoked Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, emphasizing intermediary liability for removing unlawful content flagged by authorities.
Key Issues in Jharkhand and Maharashtra Elections
In Jharkhand, tribal rights have emerged as a focal point in the election campaigns. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been vocal about concerns regarding alleged Bangladeshi and Rohingya “infiltration.” Senior leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and others, have highlighted the issue in their addresses. Meanwhile, the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has dismissed these claims, instead criticizing the central government for withholding funds owed to the state. Chief Minister Hemant Soren has also accused the BJP-led central government of orchestrating a fabricated case against him.
In Maharashtra, the debate over reservation policies has taken center stage. The demand for reservations for Marathas, who constitute 30% of the state’s population, remains a significant election issue. This has caused divisions between the influential Maratha and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities. The Marathwada region, in particular, is expected to be a critical arena for discussions on reservation policies and caste-related concerns, shaping the political landscape in the state.
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