While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) already has a strong presence on social media platforms, the Samajwadi Party (SP) and others are striving to strengthen their digital army and strategize to strengthen their support base.

“We are miles ahead of rival parties to leverage our social media presence. In addition, we are working on a strategy for virtual campaigns,” the BJP state media official told PTI. , Manish Dixit.

The party assigned separate responsibilities to office managers at the booth level to link people on WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and other platforms, he said.

BJP’s main rival, SP, is also gearing up for virtual campaigns.

The party broadcast key events and press conferences addressed to or attended by party leader Akhilesh Yadav on its YouTube channel.

“It is difficult to reach rural people via digital platforms, but the party is looking for the best possible means,” said SP national spokesman Ashutosh Verma.

“In rural areas, 40% of people do not use smartphones, but the SP focuses on young people, who mostly have them (smartphones). The party has created thousands of WhatsApp groups in rural areas and young people added, “Verma said.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) called the EC directive for virtual campaigns a blessing and said it would use its experience with social media to build support.

Party spokesman Vaibhav Maheshwari said the AAP had always believed in reaching people individually and that social media was the best way to make that connection.

“Our program includes electricity, water, health and education. Showing retouched images, arousing hatred over temple and mosque issues is no longer appreciated by people,” he said. said, adding that people liked his party’s ideology.

He said that over the past two days, virtual gatherings of AAP’s Uttar Pradesh official and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh have gathered around 2 lakhs across various platforms.

He said the AAP will focus on local issues and that he has created separate social media cells for “Purvanchal, Paschimanchal, Bundelkhand and Madhyanchal”.

“These cells are preparing messages and memes in local languages,” he added.

Congressional media coordinator Lalan Kumar said his party would keep the state’s burning issues in front of the people via social media.

“The party already has a strong social media presence, but we are making additional arrangements for a virtual campaign,” he said.

“From assembly to booth level, the party has appointed social media officials with the aim of reaching people with the party’s point of view on their issues,” Kumar said.