Tech revolution: Smartphones ring in poll agenda in tribal areas

  • | Wednesday | 17th October, 2018

With this, politicials contesting from these areas are finding it increasingly easier to take their message to the rural and tribal population. “In this way, the Facebook live link of a programme that happens anywhere is immediately circulated across groups. Once the candidates are declared, we will hold a training session for their social media team for two days such that they are able to do it properly,” said Tiwari.BJP social media cell incharge Prashant Bijlani claimed that his party had rolled out the digital India movement. Currently, all the programmes and rallies that are conducted anywhere in Madhya Pradesh are streamed live on Facebook and Instagram, reaching 80 lakh people daily. The ones who could not reach the live spot could join it on Facebook and give in their suggestions,” JAYS national convenor Hiralal Alawa.

INDORE: The increased penetration of smart phones has, in a big way, changed how parties reach out to voters in rural areas and tribal pockets.As the latest Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) report points out, one out of three villagers in Madhya Pradesh is using a smart phone. With this, politicials contesting from these areas are finding it increasingly easier to take their message to the rural and tribal population. Smartphone trotting rural folks are now hooked to messages about development of their region and poll promises sent via mobile messaging applications and social media.“We have devised a strategy for the youngsters in these regions. Currently, all the programmes and rallies that are conducted anywhere in Madhya Pradesh are streamed live on Facebook and Instagram, reaching 80 lakh people daily. In this way, those unable to attend the rallies can listen to the speeches using their smart phones,” said Abhay Tiwari, Congress social media cell chairman.Of the 5.03 crore electors in MP, 2.75 crore are youths.Tiwari said that his party has appointed almost 40,000 coordinators for different polling booths in various constituencies and are operating at least two WhatsApp groups in each. “In this way, the Facebook live link of a programme that happens anywhere is immediately circulated across groups. The district heads have been tasked with that responsibility. Once the candidates are declared, we will hold a training session for their social media team for two days such that they are able to do it properly,” said Tiwari.BJP social media cell incharge Prashant Bijlani claimed that his party had rolled out the digital India movement. “We have special cells at polling booth-level that make sure that the residents get information about the work done by BJP. Similarly, MLAs also have their own cells that take care of their social handles,” he said.A case in point is of Dr Anand Rai, who is trying to make an electoral debut by cashing in on the tribal voters through social media.“I have 2.1 lakh followers on twitter and 20,000 followers on Facebook apart from the 5k friends, which is generally expected of an MLA. After my association with JAYS, I have joined various WhatsApp groups from these areas and have a huge following in the tribal region,” he told TOI.“We started with Facebook panchayats which was a big hit among the tribals. The ones who could not reach the live spot could join it on Facebook and give in their suggestions,” JAYS national convenor Hiralal Alawa.

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