Election Commission has directed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to immediately halt delivery of Viksit Bharat messaging over WhatsApp.
The Commission had received several complaints that such messages are still being delivered on citizens’ phones despite the announcement of the General Elections 2024 and the MCC entering into force. In response, MeitY had informed the commission that although the letters were sent out before MCC came into force, some of them could have possibly been delivered to recipients with a delay because of systemic and network limitations.
The WhatsApp message by ‘Viksit Bharat Sampark’ with PM Modi's letter has been received by millions of Indians. The opposition has called PM Modi's Viksit Bharat Sampark letter to be a "blatant violation" of the model code of conduct. The WhatsApp message sought feedback and suggestions from citizens related to government schemes and policies. The pdf file attached mentioned government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, Matru Vandana Yojana, etc, and seeking suggestions from the citizens over government initiatives and schemes. The messages were also received by , several non-Indians from Pakistan, UAE, and even Britain. The Congress called the pdf file attached with the message from the Prime Minister a ‘political propaganda.’