Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Delhi unit has formed hundreds of WhatsApp groups with its national president Amit Shah as a member in each of them for providing “direct information” and stem the flow of fake news.
In the run-up to the 2019 general elections, BJP’s Delhi unit leaders are revising teams’ up to Mandal-level and bringing the party office bearers and workers on various social media platforms, including WhatsApp.
“We are trying to bring all the party office bearers and workers on social media platforms. So far, over 1,800 WhatsApp groups have been formed and the number is increasing. The move is aimed to provide direct information and stem fake news,” said Neelkant Bakshi, Head (media relations) and co-incharge of Delhi BJP’s social media unit.
Each WhatsApp group will have contact numbers of Shah and Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari, he said. In a meeting last month, Shah had cautioned social media savvy workers and his party leaders against posting fake news and spreading false messages on social media platforms, saying it hurt the party’s credibility.
He had also warned against posting such posts and messages on Facebook and other social platforms, saying it hurts BJP’s credibility.