Bhubaneswar: The campaign for the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections is in full swing under the Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha constituency and the three major political parties, the BJD, the BJP and the Congress, are pulling out all the stops to woo voters.
Parties are deploying vehicles carrying their messages, manifestoes and musical CDs. Social media campaign is another way to attract voters.
The BJP has a big presence in social media. The use of the term ‘Chowkidar’ is one way to attract voters on social media.
The BJD is also not far behind with its 72-year-old Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik using social media to reach out to voters in all constituencies. The party has launched a well-designed campaign to counter the Congress and the BJP, sources said.
A recent fitness video of Naveen Patnaik seems to have clicked on social media platforms.
Social media expert Roshan Bisoi said cyber campaigns do help. The BJP is one of the highest spenders on social media. The BJD is somewhere in the top 10 in this matter. Social media attracts a lot of youth. Pushing one’s agenda through social media is easy, he added.
The hoardings in the city are also drawing attention. Big hoardings and posters can be seen all over the city depicting the achievements of various parties.
While the BJP is showcasing its Ujjwala scheme and ‘surgical strike’ in their hoardings, the BJD is showing women empowerment.
Urban planner Piyush Ranjan Rout said the BMC should designate places for posters and ensure that it gets removed before the polls. Some of the posters and hoardings were part of the Union government, but carries a party’s symbol, he pointed out.
About issues which will be crucial in the election, especially in Bhubaneswar, he said, “I think they need to think of larger issues that would benefit Bhubaneswar as well as the state, such as how Bhubaneswar can function as a magnet for jobs, how its airport can act as a hub for India’s Look East Policy, how the city can be made more sustainable, a mission to make urban farming a reality, a plan to revive the city’s natural sponges to tackle floods as well as summer heat and a commitment to preserve the city’s heritage as well as water bodies etc,” he said.
Kumar Aghna Mukherjee, a lawyer, said, “There is a lot to be said about political parties and their campaigns. But none of the parties are focusing on policies. On the other hand they’re mostly focusing on identity and platitude. Most political parties are doing what is expected of them, that is, not campaigning for an election, but marketing their party to win.”
PNN