The Jharkhand BJP has been asked to take down a social media post the Election Commission says violates the Model Code of Conduct. The party has also been asked to explain “the alleged violation of provisions of MCC (Model Code of Conduct) on account of their referred social media posts”. 

The poll panel’s decision came following a complaint by the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and ally Congress.

The two parties complained that the BJP message – posted on X and Facebook) “contains a communal, malicious and misleading video with the caption ‘poore Jharkhand ka kaya palat denge‘ (Will change the face of Jharkhand )’,” the Commission said in its order. 

“On perusal of the complaint, it appears that the above referred social media post is prima facie violative of the MCC. It is therefore, directed to take immediate action as per existing laws and procedures and thereafter direct the concerned social media platforms, through the authority designated in the State of Jharkhand under section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act to take down the referred posts immediately,” the order to the state’s Electoral officer read. 
 

Manipur is experiencing escalating ethnic violence, leading to numerous deaths and widespread unrest. The National People’s Party withdrew support from the BJP-led government, citing its failure to control the situation. Congress leaders offered to resign if it would help restore peace, highlighting the dire situation.

An Israeli airstrike on a building in central Beirut killed Hezbollah’s media relations chief Mohammed Afif according to Lebanese security sources. The strike occurred in the Ras al-Naba’a neighbourhood, not in Hezbollah’s stronghold in the southern suburbs. Lebanese media also reported an unusual airstrike in the area, which targeted a building possibly housing the Syrian Ba’ath Party offices. Meanwhile, Israel launched multiple airstrikes on southern Beirut’s suburbs, including Hadath, Burj al-Barajneh, Chiyah and Haret Hreik, after issuing evacuation warnings. Hezbollah retaliated by firing a barrage of rockets into northern Israel, targeting Haifa and its surrounding areas. The Israeli military intercepted some of the rockets and reported damage to a synagogue in Haifa. Additionally, three suspects were arrested after flares were fired near Prime Minister Netanyahu’s residence, an incident condemned by Israeli officials as terrorism. On the same day, Israeli attacks across Gaza killed 96 Palestinians, prompting outrage from Gaza’s media office.