New Delhi
In the run-up to Lok Sabha elections expected next year, the Samajwadi Party (SP) is planning an extensive social media reach out in Uttar Pradesh which will have its focus on the image makeover of the party.
Sources have suggested that there have been two meetings recently conducted by party boss Akhilesh Yadav explaining the need of outsized social media presence (the second one held this week), which will have the purpose of dominating the social media narrative as well as bringing the positive image of the party in front of the people. The social media team will be categorised in two to three parts where its two major wings will create and disseminate content. Party leaders have suggested that there is high probability that the responsibility of social media will be given to a party leader whom the party leadership will consider meritorious to run the team efficiently.
A senior party leader said, “The idea is to focus on the party’s own positive aspect and its contribution rather than targeting the Yogi Adityanath government. We won’t be targeting the BJP on social media. Our focus will be on putting out content that would stay among people in a way that it makes them understand what the SP has done. So, the content will be presenting the work our party has done and the advancements our party is committed to make. People on social media form a big chunk and this content will be targeted for such people the majority of whom is the youth.”
A political analyst based in Bihar said, “All the parties are trying to spread their social media footprints so that they can penetrate among the masses. Social media is the mass media. Earlier, the information could only be spread through newspapers, broadcast media and radio channels. Now the social media runs supreme in spreading the narrative. So, people are either informed or they are misinformed. Thus, if an x party does not set up its narrative on social media, another opposing party will be successful in misinforming people about the x party. So, it is the need of an hour.”
It is also pertinent to mention that the Rashtra Janata Dal has also increased its social media engagement and is seen trying to advertise their leaders and accomplishments. A political analyst based in Bihar said, “If you see the Instagram account of Lalu Prasad Yadav, there are many photos showcasing Lalu and his son Tejaswi Yadav. In one photo both, father-son duo is standing projecting the unity of the party. Such photos are important, they nullify the rumour-mongering that goes around in political circles when elections are near that two leaders could be at odds. Moreover, there are ally partners as well in the photos, sending a message that everyone is united.”