Puducherry Elections: Desperate to Win, BJP Ropes AINRC, Unleashes Social Media Campaign

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seems to be flexing all its muscles to capture power in the Puducherry Union Territory (UT). The party is contesting along with the All India NR Congress (AINRC) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in the elections scheduled on April 6, but has taken charge of dictating terms in the alliance.

The frequent visits of the Prime Minister and his cabinet colleagues are making their intentions clear. Former BJP leader Dr Tamilisai Soundarrajan holding fort as the Lieutenant Governor (incharge) is considered as a tactical move of the party.

Meanwhile, the BJP has stepped up its social media blitz as well. Hundreds of WhatsApp groups have been created, with people receiving invites to join the groups to form a ‘Narendra Modi led government in Puducherry’.

Also read: Puducherry: How Congress Lost One More Government to BJP Ploy

An insignificant player until recently, the BJP has lured members of the Assembly representing the AINRC, Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and toppled the V Narayanaswamy led government, with barely months left for polls .

SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN

The right wing party has reportedly employed youth to set up WhatsApp groups for all the polling booths in the UT. The voters have been receiving invitations to join the groups, which has led to many organisations questioning how the BJP managed to collect mobile numbers of the voters.

Screenshot of message received by A Anand, president of DYFI Puducherry region

Following this, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer alleging theft of personal details by BJP functionaries. 

Speaking to NewsClick, A Anand, president of Puducherry region DYFI, said, “The BJP social media team has created WhatsApp groups for more than 950 polling booths. Those who have registered their mobile numbers with Aadhaar have received invitations to join the groups. We have sought action against such practices by the BJP.”

Screenshot of a WhatsApp group created for Kamaraj nagar constituency in Puducherry

“The individual who created the group responded to the call made and asked the callers to approach the Puducherry BJP office for clarification,” Anand added, talking about one of the WhatsApp groups formed by the party.

The DYFI has sought action citing the Supreme Court judgement in the Puttaswamy Vs Union of India case, which declared the right to privacy as a fundamental right. 

UTILISING ADMINISTRATIVE MACHINERY

Meanwhile, the LG, Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, who is holding additional charge of the UT, has been in the limelight since taking charge. From visiting public places to travelling in public transport and holding review meetings, she is leaving no stone unturned in hogging the limelight. The opposition parties led by the Congress have alleged the LG of making publicity stunts ahead of the elections in favour of the BJP.

She held a review meeting in the Chief Minister’s cabin, reportedly for the first time in the history of the UT. She downplayed the move and claimed she was reviewing the status of the welfare measures in the UT. She had earlier appointed two advisors after taking charge.

Notably, the Congress had been accusing the former LG Dr Kiran Bedi of blocking welfare measures and even held a series of protests against her interference.

AINRC BUCKLES TO PRESSURE

The AINRC, which was willing to contest alone in the elections till a week ago, reportedly buckled to the pressure of the BJP and entered into the alliance. According to reports, Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to N Rangasamy, the leader of the AINRC and persuaded him to join the alliance.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has not announced their chief ministerial candidate, while announcing that N Rangaswamy will head the alliance. The AINRC cadres were pacified by the leader after they expressed dissent in the meeting itself on the NDA not announcing their leader as the CM candidate.

Also read: BJP Utilising All Its Powers to ‘Topple’ Congress Govt in Puducherry Ahead of Assembly Elections

Earlier, the AINRC had announced the founder leader of the party, Rangaswamy as the CM candidate. Speculations were also rife about a rainbow alliance including the AINRC, Congress, DMK and others to oppose the AIADMK-BJP alliance.

The AIADMK, however, has not yet signed the pact with the two parties, to contest in the four seats allotted by the AINRC. 

DMK-CONGRESS ALLIANCE SEAL PACT

The Congress and the DMK after bargaining hard over the number of seats, arrived at an agreement on March 11. The Congress will contest from 15 constituencies, followed by the DMK in 13, while the Communist Party of India and Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) will contest from one seat each.

Incidentally, the DMK stayed away from all the protests held by the Congress against the interference of the LG in governance. 

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is planning to contest from four seats on its own, after being denied seats in the Congress led alliance.