Taking a strong step to ensure compliance with the model code of conduct, the Election Commission has directed the Union government to “immediately halt” Viksit Bharat messages being sent over WhatsApp.

The poll panel has also instructed the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to immediately submit a compliance report. 

The action by the Election Commission comes after it received several complaints about the model code being violated by MeitY sending the messages. In response, the ministry had informed the panel that the messages, which contain a letter from the Prime Minister, were sent out on March 15 – before the model code came into force – and that some of them could have been delivered with a delay because of “system architecture and network limitations”. 

The dates for the Lok Sabha elections – which will be held in seven phases between April 19 and June 1 – were announced by the Election Commission on March 16, and the model code of conduct came into effect immediately after that.  

Fresh cracks have appeared within the Congress over its flagship caste census demand at a national level with a senior leader claiming the party never endorsed identity politics.

A demand for caste census may be misinterpreted as disrespecting the party’s former leaders and former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, Anand Sharma said in a letter to party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, which was shared by news agency IANS.

In a surprise move, Ruturaj Gaikwad on Thursday replaced the legendary MS Dhoni as the Chennai Super Kings captain as defending champions dropped a bombshell a day before the IPL opener. In a post on X, the Indian Premier League revealed the development, a day before CSK take on Royal Challengers Bangalore.