New Delhi: A message on WhatsApp from ‘Viksit Bharat Sampark’ with a open letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking feedback and suggestions from citizens, has sparked a controversy with the opposition alleging misuse of government database and the messaging app for political propaganda.
In a series of social media updates on X, the Kerala state unit of the Congress tagged Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, and pointed to an automated message from a verified business account named Viksit Bharat Sampark. “The message talks about taking feedback from citizens, but the attached PDF is nothing but political propaganda,” Kerala Congress posted.
“In the guise of feedback, the letter is nothing but claims that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is making about his Govt as part of his campaign for the upcoming General Elections, misusing govt database,” it alleged, calling it “blatant misuse of WhatsApp for political propaganda.”
Kerala Congress also shared a screenshot of WhatsApp policy on government and political use of its business platform, highlighting that the company prohibits the use of messaging app by political parties, politicians, political candidates and political campaigns. “If that’s the policy, how do you permit a political leader to do propaganda on your platform? Or do you have a separate policy for BJP?” it asked.
On Friday, PM Modi oreached out to a section of people, seeking their suggestion on shaping India’s future as Viksit Bharat. “I need and indeed, look forward to your ideas, suggestions and support as we work to fulfil the resolve of building a Viksit Bharat,” the letter, issued on the eve of the announcement of the general elections, said.
The government’s development agenda and the promise of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 is a key poll plank of the BJP.
Mahua Moitra of the Trinamool Congress also hit out at the government and said, “MCC came into effect today at 1500 hrs after EC announcement. Just received shameless campaign message from ‘Viksit Bharat’ at taxpayer expense plugging PM letter at 20:17 hrs.”
“Please send from BJP party account,” she added.
BJP president J P Nadda, in February, flagged off ‘Viksit Bharat Modi Ki Guarantee’ video vans, seeking people’s suggestions from across the country for preparing the manifesto for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
