Viksit Bharat Sampark row: WhatsApp message from Modi govt sparks controversy, Oppn cries ‘political propaganda’

Viksit Bharat Sampark row: A WhatsApp message from 'Viksit Bharat Sampark' asking for citizen feedback and suggestions, along with a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, led to controversy, with opposition leaders accusing the government of using the messaging service and database for political propaganda.

Kerala Congress, in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter),  tagged WhatsApp's parent Meta and pointed to the 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 said.

“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." The Congress went on to call it a “blatant misuse of WhatsApp for political propaganda.”

Kerala Congress also shared a photo of WhatsApp's policy on government and political usage of its business platform, emphasising that the firm restricts the use of the messaging app by political parties, lawmakers, political candidates, and 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?”

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought feedback from a group of people for crafting the Union government's "Viksit Bharat" (developed India) agenda. In a letter released on the eve of the announcement of the general elections, the PM stated, "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 BJP's primary election agenda is the government's development strategy, including its promise of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

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