Mangaluru: Change is inevitable. The same holds for political campaigning. Gone are the days when people came out in huge numbers to listen to speeches of their leaders in sultry weather. The prevailing trends have necessitated political parties to use the social media platforms be it the Twitter, Face book or others to reach out to the masses.
Keeping this in light both the Congress and the BJP, the major national parties are devising their strategies to woo the netizens – 1.5 crore users on Facebook and 1 cr Twitter users and get them to cast their votes. The votes of course will be secured by those who use the platform effectively to put across their points, and thus the need to devise a proper social media campaign.
It maybe recalled that it was a successful social media campaign that brought the BJP to power an the center. The state BJP too is relying on the same formula to win the elections in the state.
The ruling Congress, who did not want to be left behind in the race made quick amends and gave the responsibility of social media campaign in the state to Shrivatsav Baskar, who is now the Karnataka Congress Social Media President. The opposition BJP’s social media campaign is headed by Amith Malaviya.
Speaking to Newskarnataka, Shrivatsav Baskar said, “We have decided to speak to people at the booth level about various developmental programmes of the Congress government. Hence, we have already started ‘One Digital Youth, for a Booth’ campaign. We have identified and allocated 55,000 booths to equal number of volunteers. They will handle social media like Whats App, Facebook Twitter”.
“We have also appointed the district conveners from each district for social media handling. Even there are assembly conveners for 224 assembly constituencies to look after the social media. Besides exposing the false propaganda of BJP in the state, the Congress is promoting development programms and promises fulfilled by the Siddaramaiah government in 4.8 years,” Shrivatsav added.
All Congress ministers, MLAs have been compulsorily directed to open social media accounts, mainly on Facebook and Twitter. Not just that, but they have been asked to respond to the comments from the opposition through social media. Already 80% of the ministers and about 50% of the MLAs from ruling Congress party have opened the accounts on social media. The Congress has already started campaigns like Nudidanthe Nadediddeve and Bari Olu BJP# in social media.
BJP State Social Media convener Balaji Shrinivas, speaking to Newskarnataka said, “Ahead of assembly elections in Karnataka, the BJP has organised social media convention of over 4000 members in Bengaluru with the aim of creating active social media campaign. Besides this, the party has also organised training programmes for party workers in every assembly constituency on social media campaign. Whatsapp groups have been formed in each assembly constituency across the state and priority has been given to Kannada language,”
The war has definitely heated up with the BJP trying to oust the ruling Congress, who in turn is making all out efforts to retain the power.
After the direction of PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, IT Cells have been formed and they are effectively being used.
Essentially, both parties have decided to respond to comments and criticisms through social media.
In state there are 2.75 crore mobile phone users, of which 80% people have data connectivity on mobiles. Nearly 45% people have smart phones. During the elections this figure may cross 50%, hence the both parties have devised strategies to gain maximum benefits through social media.
