After Congress Writes To Twitter, BJP Leader's 'Toolkit Expose' Tweet Flagged As Manipulated Media

After Congress wrote to Twitter asking it to permanently suspend the accounts of BJP leader for allegedly "spreading misinformation", the micro-blogging website on Friday (21 May) flagged the 'toolkit expose' tweet of BJP leader Sambit Patra as 'manipulated media'.

The development comes after Congress On Thursday (20 May) wrote to Twitter seeking permanent suspension of the accounts of the four BJP leaders and other party functionaries who had shared the alleged "forged" document.

However, it is yet to be revealed what was the source based on which the micro-blogging website concluded that the 'toolkit' tweet of the BJP leader was manipulative.

Earlier on Tuesday (18 May), BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra and other party leaders had tweeted screenshots of what they call is a "toolkit" of the Congress party to adopt various underhand techniques to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP led central government.

As per alleged screenshots posted by Sambit Patra, the "toolkit" states that the Covid-19 pandemic is an opportunity to "destroy the image of Prime Minister Modi. It states that in order to achieve it, International media coverage by foreign corespondents can be tailored and a liaison be established with foreign journalists and Indian oped writers in foreign publications.

"Use the phrase Indian Strain whenever talking of new mutant. Social Media volunteers can call it Modi Strain", the alleged toolkit states.

The toolkit which contains the Congress symbol on the top right corner of each shared page, calls for the use of dramatic photographs of funerals and dead bodies which is already being done by foreign media. It goes on to say that such journalists can be facilitated by the local Congress cadre.

Another screenshot shared by Patra states that an advance collaboration with friendly journalists should be carried out on social media to amplify requests for Covid related help and a response should only be made if the Indian Youth Congress' handle is tagged. It also states that calls from help by journalists and influencers should get priority.

Meanwhile, Congress came out to claim that the said "toolkit" was fake and filed FIR against BJP leaders including party president J P Nadda and Union Minister Smriti Irani.