While the electoral commission announced parliamentary election dates in five states, the electoral commission banned all physical rallies, roadshows and padyatra until January 15 due to the surge in Covid-19 cases on Saturday.
While the European Commission has announced that it will review the situation on January 15th and accept an extension of the ban, the political parties in Uttar Pradesh are preparing for the digital election campaign from February 10th.
While the BJP plans to use 3D technology for “virtual rallies,” the Samajwadi Party and Congress rely on social media to reach people.
This is how the political parties in UP are preparing for the virtual election campaign
Bharatiya Janata Party
According to sources, the BJP plans to use 3D studio mix technology, which will allow executives sitting in two different locations to be shown on a podium.
For some time now, similar messages have been seen in WhatsApp groups and Twitter handles from BJP followers. The party already has more than 1.5 lakh booth level WhatsApp groups in each state that are used to hold these virtual rallies.
The BJP also has war rooms for campaigning at the local level. The teams sitting there collect public support for their party with the help of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram etc.
Speaking to India Today, BJP national spokesman Gopal Agarwal said the party’s social media teams have been strengthened and WhatsApp messaging, virtual conferencing and conversations are being used for campaigning.
Agarwal said Covid-19 was challenging but the party had prepared a draft digital campaign.
Samajwadi party
Following the EC decision, the head of the Samajwadi party, Akhilesh, is planning virtual rallies to reach voters. They have long been training volunteers digitally, according to the SP, and the party’s social media warroom was also active during the 2017 general election.
The SP tweeted a link inviting people to join WhatsApp groups run by party workers in over 400 constituencies in the state. According to the party, they planned to move from village to village, but will now reach people via Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Samajwadi Party spokesman Rajiv Rai said preparations for the virtual rallies are ongoing. He said that virtual campaigns are not limited to cities, but also at the village and stand level.
Although the Samajwadi Party’s foolproof plan for virtual rallies is not yet ready, the party says it won’t take much time. The party assumes that the virtual medium will also be easier for other regional parties if a better infrastructure is provided.
congress
In light of the Covid-19 situation, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has postponed all of her major rallies and programs in Uttar Pradesh for 15 days. She has now decided to network with people digitally.
Priyanka Gandhi began her virtual campaign on Saturday with a broadcast that aired on Facebook, YouTube and other party’s social media channels.
In the “Priyanka Ke Saath Live” program, the party conducts Facebook Live sessions where the Secretary General of Congress interacts with people.
Congress spokesman Surendra Rajput said the party had been the first to decide to stop public rallies and hold small meetings and door-to-door campaigns.
The party will further expand the virtual campaign through series of dialogues on social media platforms and WhatsApp group communication.
Bahujan Samaj Party
Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is lagging behind its opponents in the virtual election campaign. Senior BSP boss Satish Chandra Mishra is currently using Facebook to hold live rallies, but the party lacks the aggressive social media tactics of its rival parties.
After the EK’s announcement on Saturday, the BSP is now planning to expand the digital campaign via social media platforms and WhatsApp groups. In addition, all parties plan to show videos of vans and trucks with LED screens across the state, particularly in rural areas.
Om Prakash Rajbhar’s virtual plan
Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) President Om Prakash Rajbhar said Rajbhar Samaj has been in an electoral mood since his reign and has been preparing to cabin level. He said his society was not waiting for the elections and was already prepared.
Rajbhar believes that going virtual won’t make much of a difference. The party now plans to reach its electorate through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
According to the party, Rajbhar’s YouTube handle is “the most popular” with party’s voters and would be a primary tool for virtual election campaigns.
Aam Aadmi Party
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also supports campaigns across digital media amid rising Covid-19 cases. Speaking to India Today, AAP MP Rajya Sabha Sanjay Singh said that elections will be held when the public is sure.
In a virtual rally in Varanasi on January 8th, Sanjay Singh reached out to people via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
The party plans to hold more virtual rallies via social media platforms. The party also plans to reach the public through door-to-door campaigns as well.
What experts say
Regarding the relevance of the virtual election campaign, political scientist Ratanmani Lal said that the BJP had an advantage as it had already fought in similar situations during the West Bengal elections last year. Even if other parties try to adapt to digital mode, it will certainly influence their campaign strategy.
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