Congress Files Complaint with ECI Against BJP Over “Misleading” Ad

The Congress party filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of circulating a misleading advertisement on social media containing false information about leaders of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Indian National Congress (INC), and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). Congress alleged that the ad, posted on BJP’s official Jharkhand Facebook page on November 9, 2024, portrayed these leaders in a negative light and violated the Model Code of Conduct and electoral laws.

The complaint contended that the ad used actors resembling JMM, INC, and RJD leaders and leveled false accusations, including claims that the leaders were “Anti-Adivasi” while pretending to support tribal rights to serve personal agendas. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh shared a copy of the complaint on X (formerly Twitter), condemning the ad as a “brazen” violation of the Model Code of Conduct and “an act of serious criminality.”

Congress urged the ECI to take immediate action on the matter. The elections for Jharkhand’s 81-member Assembly will be held in two phases, on November 13 and 20, with results scheduled for November 23.