EC directs Centre to immediately cease 'Viksit Bharat Sampark' WhatsApp Messages

• Election Commission instructs centre to halt 'Viksit Bharat Sampark' bulk WhatsApp messages
• Government cites systemic delays claiming letters were sent out prior MCC came into effect
• Opposition labels PDF letter from PM Modi in messages seeking public feedback as 'political propaganda', voilating MCC 

EC on Thusday, directs the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to cease the circulation of bulk WhatsApp messages under the label 'Viksit Bharat Sampark.' This action comes in response to numerous complaints received by the EC regarding the continued delivery of such messages to citizens' phones, despite the announcement of the poll dates and the enforcement of the model code of conduct (MCC).

In response, the govt 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.

In recent days, several WhatsApp users across the country have reported receiving messages from 'Viksit Bharat Sampark,' accompanied by a PDF document. The attached letter, purportedly from PM Narendra Modi, mentions 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 letter which addresses users as 'my dear family members' had sparked political controversy. Congress has called the PDF file attached with the message a ‘political propaganda’.