Chandigarh MC elections: Social media war erupts among parties

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 13

Ahead of the Municipal Corporation poll, a social media war has erupted among the BJP, the Congress and AAP.

Other than city issues, the BJP and the Congress are mainly attacking each other through various posts, videos and memes while AAP is criticising both of them. The parties are sending their messages through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp.

City AAP has a team of around 60-70 volunteers operating behind the scenes. It is posting messages on the social media related to works done by the party in Delhi.

With pictures of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, it is promising mohalla clinics, smart government schools, lighting up dark spots, clearing of waste dumps and free 20,000 litres of water among other things. “Na kamal, na haath, Chandigarh mein kewal AAP...Yuva shakti ki pukar, Chandigarh nagar nigam mein jeete AAP abki baar..,” such slogans are being posted on the social media by the party.

“We are posting videos of our leaders and also of the general public. We are sharing our vision with the public and what other parties failed to do. We ensure that our online content reaches every ward,” said Kanchan Bhupal, who is heading the social media team of AAP. The Congress is attacking the BJP on the social media and raising various unresolved issues. “Badlav ki bayar hai, Congress is baar hai,” is the pinned Tweet on the Congress Twitter account and its common hashtag on different issues.

To take a swipe at the BJP, some of its graphic posts read “Chandigarh puchata sawal, kyun hua hai sehar behal and why city’s roads and parks are in poor state; why are there waste dumps?”

The party is also sharing news reports related to the statements of the BJP. In the run-up to the elections, it has raised its per day post count from two-three to 10-12.

“We have a core team of 10 persons with 40-50 volunteers. Through videos and graphics, we are highlighting the financial mishandling of the MC, increased water tariff, door-to-door waste collection mismanagement, undue taxes, corruption and the national issue of inflation,” said Mayank Puri, state coordinator, social media, Chandigarh Congress.

The BJP is also taking the Opposition head-on on the social media, besides posting achievements of the MC and the UT Administration during its rule. “Jab sehar ko jarurat thi rakt ki, kahan thi Congress-AAP?” reads one of its graphic pictures highlighting its donation of 697 units of blood during Covid.

“Our party has done 400-450 works. We are highlighting installation of 2,200 hi-definition CCTV cameras, solar power energy works, electric buses/e-rickshaws, LED street lights on roads, cycle tracks, Mani Majra underpass, hospitals, sports stadia and 24X7 water supply project among other achievements. Besides, works done by the BJP during the Covid pandemic when other party leaders were sitting at home are also being shared,” said Rajesh Jaswal, social media head.

It has a core team of five to six members with 100-150 volunteers.