The ensuing Assembly election is witnessing emergence of a new 'tribe' of social media contractors in Uttarakhand.
These individuals most of whom are software professionals have taken contracts from the candidates to popularise them in the virtual world. With the emergence of social media as a powerful tool of connecting with masses the Netas are doing every bit to use its benefit in their favour.
Most of the political parties have dedicated social media cells which are engaged in increasing the presence of their respective parties in the cyber world. However many candidates are personally hiring people to popularise them in social media. It is learnt that almost all prominent candidates fighting these elections have hired the services of such contractors.
These contractors are offering packages to the candidates and are charging anything between Rs three to six lakh from their clients. In these packages these contractors are creating web pages in support of the candidates, uploading the pictures and contents on the facebook and whatsApp, purchasing bulk SMS and sending pre-recorded voice messages to the people of the constituency from where the ‘Neta’ is contesting. One of an important part of this package is spreading such messages and pictures which dent the image of the political adversary of the candidate. “We offer our services to polish the image of the candidates on social media. Normally we attach one person with the candidate who sends the pictures from his election campaign to us. We coin slogans, upload short videos and spread messages showing the opponents in poor light while trying to build positive image of the candidate who is our client,’’ said one such social media contractor. He further informed that most of the serious candidates are taking the services of a dedicated social media managers.
It is learnt that these contractors charge money for the number of days they serve a particular candidate. One political observer said that the power of social media was reflected in the parliamentary elections of 2014 when a 'Brand Modi' was created by using these tools.