Politicians tap social media to boost public contact

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, April 21

The use of social media in politics has dramatically changed the way campaigns are run and how the people interact with political leaders.

In this election, politicians are using the social media to reach out to the people. Moreover, political opponents are taking a potshot at each other on Twitter, Facebook etc.

Social media has become a key platform for reaching out to the voters, especially the youth, who are actively present on such sites and get their updates mostly from there.

Most of the politicians are promoting their rallies, speeches, public meetings and events by posting photos and videos on Facebook, You Tube and Google +, which goes viral very soon.

Apart from this, politicians are also using these social media platforms to greet the people and their supporters on festivals as well.

Union minister and two-time sitting MP from Bathinda, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, is very active on social media these days. A few days back, she herself urged the SAD workers to be active on social media ahead of Lok Sabha elections.

These days where ever she goes, Harsimrat’s social media team accompanies her and her every speech goes live on Facebook, a social media platform.

Even the Congress candidate from Bathinda and MLA from Gidderbaha, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, is quite active on social media. He updates day to day to activities on his Facebook page which includes videos showcasing new development works that have taken place in his constituency.

Punjab Ekta Party (PEP) and Punjab Democratic Alliance (PDA) candidate from Bathinda, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, is also active on social media and is updating his each and every public meeting on his Facebook page.

The popularity of social media can be accessed from the likes on Facebook pages. Harsimrat Badal has 6.85 lakh likes and 6.83 people follow her Facebook page. Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has 5.21 lakh likes and 5.22 lakh people follow his page. Sukhpal Singh Khaira has 4.29 lakh likes and 4.40 lakh people follow his page.

Apart from this, politicians are also making use of Twitter, taking potshots at each other by putting hashtag as well. Recently, Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Capt Amarinder Singh had a Twitter fight over Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the Golden Temple to mark the 100 years of Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Popularity of leaders

• The popularity of social media can be accessed from the likes on Facebook pages. Harsimrat Badal has 6.85 lakh likes and 6.83 people follow her Facebook page. Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has 5.21 lakh likes and 5.22 lakh people follow his page. Sukhpal Singh Khaira has 4.29 lakh likes and 4.40 lakh people follow his page.
• Apart from this, politicians are also making use of Twitter, taking potshots at each other by putting hashtag as well. Recently, Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Capt  Amarinder Singh had a Twitter fight over Rahul Gandhi's visit to the Golden Temple to mark the 100 years of Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

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