The BJP is readying to run a tech savvy campaign in Karnataka to counter anti-incumbency, while the JD-S is also exploring using social media to promote its message. The Congress will only rely on star power to woo the voter. Vicky Nanjappa looks at how the campaign will pan out.
The fact that the Bharatiya Janata Party in Karnataka is banking heavily on Gujarat Chief Minister Narandra Modi is no secret. Not only will they convince Modi to address 15 rallies in Karnataka, the people of the state will also see the use of 3D holographic projection technology, which was first used in the recent Gujarat elections, to project the BJP prime ministerial aspirant all over the state.
Looking at the preparations of all parties closely, it looks that the most tech savvy of all the campaigns would be put up by the BJP.
The BJP has a dedicated information technology cell in Bangalore and it has been responsible for almost all events of the party in which technology has been put to good use. The IT cell would work on the party’s campaign this time. Many within the party are aware that the chances of the party are not all that great and hence they would have to do something spectacular to put up a good show. The BJP in Karnataka is in talks with the team that brought the 3D technology to Gujarat.
The surprise package this time around is the Janata Dal-Secular, which has always been averse to using technology for its campaign. The party has traditionally relied on a rural vote bank and never found the need to adapt to technology. This time around the party has hired a special officer to ensure that the party’s message is conveyed on all social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook and even Youtube. All speeches made by leaders of the party would be on Youtube, a JD-S leader informed rediff.com.
The Congress, however, has decided to limit the use of technology and rely more on star power. Their campaigns would be led by leaders such as Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and also Dr Manmohan Singh. In Karnataka, there is reliance on Siddaramaiah to pull the crowds. But the party is also roping in actors such as Chiranjeevi from Andhra Pradesh, Ambareesh, Darshan and Ramya to woo the voters. In addition to this they have hired a professional to interact with the media.
