The state BJP has decided to cash in on the popularity of social networking sites among youth to make its October 27 Hunkar Rally a grand success.

The party has decided to start online registration of rally participants after Durga Puja. According to sources, the party decided to go online to garner support of the people, especially the youngsters, after its star campaigner and prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi instructed the leaders to lay stress on social media and virtual world.

“It is the best way to spread message among a large number of electorate, especially the youngsters who can change the fate of any leader,” said a senior BJP leader. Confirming the decision of online registration, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Nand Kishore Yadav said: “It is true that the party has decided to go online. The online registration will start after Durga Puja. Interested persons would have to fill their personal details, including contact number and address, on the website. For the first time, such an initiative is being taken for any political function.”

He said: “Those who do not have access to Internet and computers can register themselves through cellphones. They will simply have to send a short text message to a number for registration. The party would announce the number soon.”

Camps would be set up in blocks for manual registration of the participants not conversant with the virtual and the cellular world.

“There are several people in remote areas who cannot afford either cellphone or the Internet facility. We shall be setting up camps near all roundabouts in blocks for manual registration,” said Nand Kishore. The party would also ensure that the BJP supporters unable to make it to the Maidan do not miss out on what their leaders have to say on the rally day.

“We have decided to webcast the rally live. People will just have to log on to a website to watch the live speech of Modi. He has a lot of NRI supporters. We will ensure that they do not miss a single word,” said Nand Kishore.