Jamshedpur: From WhatsApp messages to political party caller tunes, the third edition of Kolhan University polls will see a decisive tilt towards digital campaigning.
Move over campus flag marches, caller tunes, voice messages and social media campaigns are the flavour of college election campaigns this time.
Campaigning will start from Friday for the college leg for the elections on December 18, elected varsity representatives from which will contest university polls to be held on December 22. On Thursday, colleges scrutinised nominations filed by student contestants on Wednesday.
Student leaders in the thick of things are sold on virtual campaigning. For instance, Sonu Thakur, a member of Kolhan University senate and in-charge of students elections from Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP, affiliated to RSS) who were winners in last year's student elections, feels virtual campaigning is the best way to woo their voters.
"Our student voters are completely clued-in on digital and social media platforms so roaming around with flags in campuses does not have the same impact. Today's youngsters believe more in the digital space than what's happening in front of them," he said.
Asked what the ABVP has planned, he said they would circulate their party theme song, released in their annual national meet in Delhi this year, as caller tunes and ringtones among 2,000 members, as well as circulate WhatsApp messages to woo voters.
They aren't the only party. The Ajsu poll team is recording voice messages of its candidates for automated calls to about 9,000 student voters. "Our automated calls will go to student voters on Friday. These recorded calls will also mention the social work that Ajsu members have done on college campuses, including generating funds to educate needy students. We will also approach students on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram," said Gautam Singh, state president of Ajsu students' wing.
Jharkhand Chhatra Morcha (JCM, affiliated to the JMM), who were 2015 winners, has also decided to use WhatsApp, Facebook and telecalling to woo student voters.
"We won in 2015 but something went wrong in 2016. This time therefore we are using phones and WhatsApp primarily to woo voters personally. We have asked every JCM member to call students in their college and tell them about our contributions and issues that we will address," said Hariram Tudu, a senior JCM member.
