In Bhubaneswar, the Odisha unit of the Congress party filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer on Thursday, demanding action against a local web portal called Focus Plus, its editor, and social media channels such as YouTube and Facebook. The party says the portal has been broadcasting defamatory videos that target Bhakta Charan Das, the president of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC), and his son Sagar Charana Das.
The complaint states that from October 15 the Focus Plus office – located in Soubhagya Nagar, Bhubaneswar – has been airing false, baseless claims about Das. The portal labeled Das a “middleman” or dalal and accused him of selling the Congress party to opponents. In one video, the editor alleged that Das had looted ₹60 crore under the guise of Kalahandi development and amassed property in Chhattisgarh.
According to the case, the editor and his aide streamed over ten videos on YouTube and Facebook. The content included claims that Das sold party tickets in Telangana’s 2023 assembly elections and enjoyed a lavish lifestyle, staying in three rooms at Hotel Mayfair year‑round. These rumors have, the party argues, damaged the clean public image of Das, his son, and the Congress brand.
The Odisha Congress also warned that the “irrational” and “illegal” accusations could hurt the party’s chances in the upcoming Nuapada by‑polls on November 11. By spreading misinformation, the videos may influence voters and undermine the electoral prospects of Congress candidates.
“We urgently request the Chief Electoral Officer to investigate these complaints, remove the abusive content, and take legal action against the individuals responsible,” the party said. The complaint offers to supply any further evidence needed for the investigation and calls for a swift response.
This case highlights growing concerns over online defamation in India, especially as political parties seek to protect their leaders’ reputations while facing a crowded social‑media landscape. Congress’s call to the election authorities underscores the importance of regulating harmful content to preserve fair electoral competition.
Source: ianslive
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