• Source:JND
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The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Monday rejected Congress's allegations that it had denied permission to the party to send SMSs related to the vote chori campaign to party workers in Maharashtra.

TRAI clarified that it does not approve or reject SMS campaigns and that it is the job of Telecom Service Providers (TSPs). In a press release from the Ministry of Communications, TRAI noted certain media reports alleging that TRAI has rejected the application of Congress.

The TRAI said, "TRAI categorically denies any role in the acceptance or rejection of such individual SMS campaigns. The approval or rejection of SMS message templates is carried out by the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs)."

As per the release, the telecom authority said, "TRAI is not involved in the acceptance or rejection of individual SMS campaigns. These functions are carried out by TSPs in accordance with the framework prescribed under TCCCPR, 2018."

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"In view of the above, TRAI reiterates that it has no role in the specific instance reported in the media," the release further noted.

The telecom authority's clarification came a day after the leaders of the grand old party alleged their application to send an SMS campaign linking to a YouTube documentary titled "How the MH 2024 election was stolen" was turned down.

Party leaders like Praveen Chakravarty and MP Manickam Tagore called it the government's censorship attempt and claimed the denial reflected "coordinated suppression" by regulatory bodies.

In a post on X, Chakravarty said, "How is there such perfect synchronisation between Home Ministry, Election Commission & Telecom regulator to suppress? Does one need more telltale signs of guilt of MH election fraud than such coordinated moves by various arms of the govt to suppress & hide information?"

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Earlier in the day, Tagore alleged a coordinated attempt to suppress questions over alleged irregularities in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, accusing the BJP and regulators of acting in tandem.

Tagore also took to X and said, "One coordinated machine to hide the truth of MH 2024 fraud. Amit bhai, if Maharashtra elections weren't stolen, why are you so scared of a YouTube link? Ashwini ji, since when did TRAI become the BJP's IT Cell? Mr. Gnaneshwar, your signature on this rejection note is proof of regulatory capture."

(With PTI Inputs)