Karwar: Campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections is going on in full swing across the State and all the major parties including BJP, JD(S) and Congress are constantly engaged in holding meetings and conventions. However, social media has emerged as the latest campaigning ground for politicians who are aiming to reach out to the maximum number of voters.

While the BJP is currently leading in Uttara Kannada district in the use of social media for campaigning, JD(S) and the Congress are trying to catch up.

BJP candidate Ananthkumar Hegde is having an active presence on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media portals. He has an exclusive website and 'Ananth' Android and IOS Mobile app too. He has declared this in the papers submitted to the Election Commission also.   

The social media accounts of Hegde mostly has content related to various schemes of the Union government. Along with it, they have information related to various development works and projects implemented in Uttara Kannada constituency. Now and then, he also puts up posts criticising his political opponents. Hegde has more than 42,000 followers on Twitter and over 98,000 followers on Facebook.

Not just the candidate but even the office-bearers of the BJP district unit are active on social media.

Asnotikar's accounts

On the other hand, JD(S)-Congress coalition candidate Anand Asnotikar is active on Facebook but not on Twitter. Asnotikar has uploaded small videos of his campaign speech and newspaper reports on his Facebook account. But his social media account has lesser followers than Hegde. Only 5,400 followers have liked his Facebook page. In the papers submitted to the Election Commission, Asnotikar has declared that he has a Twitter account but it not so active.

District In-charge Minister R V Deshpande also has Facebook and Twitter handles. But the accounts do not have any interesting posts with regard to Lok Sabha election. The other leaders of the Congress district committee have maintained distance from social media during the Lok Sabha elections. 

"Congress supporters show unity during the meetings of the coalition parties. But many are not clear about they campaigning for the JD(S) candidate. A similar confusion prevails with regard to the use of social media also," says a Congress leader.

Supports' presence

Meanwhile, supporters of both candidates have a good presence in social media. While the candidates are engaged in meeting people and attending conventions, their supporters are actively involved in campaigning online. They post the opinions of their leaders and their party and also criticise the leaders of the opposition party on behalf of the leaders, thereby engaging in an online contest.