By A Mirsab, TwoCircles.net,
Aurangabad (Maharashtra): Desperate to make inroads in the civic body, members and supporters of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) are effectively using social media, websites and mobile applications to reach out to voters and to unite votes for the party ahead of the Aurangabad civic polls.
The campaign for the civic body elections – voting for which takes place on Wednesday, April 22 – came to an end on Monday at 5 pm with the candidates and start campaigners making final attempts to woo the voters. There are 113 seats total and MIM has fielded 60 candidates.
The enthusiasm of the party for the election is totally different this time around as compared with the last year’s October assembly polls as MIM members and supporters are effectively using Facebook and Whatsapp for campaigning. And hence, although the campaign has ended but the graphical pictures created by the party supporters continue to make rounds and appeal people to vote for ‘Kite’ – the party symbol, and urging them to unite their vote.
A source from the party said that it has been advised by the party leaders to the members to remain active on social media and make sure people turn out in big numbers to vote for the party. “Core party leaders specifically ordered party workers to use mobile apps and social websites to reach out to voters and find maximum support,” a source said.
The images that are circulating appeal voters to vote for ‘Kite’ means vote for ‘Unity, Change and Development’.
Tausif Shaikh, 26, a mechanical engineer, said, “After the win in last year’s election, the interest of youths has increased towards politics and they have joined MIM. There are many professionals from the city who are extending help to the party by creating graphical images for campaign.”
Shaikh claims that even the people who are not in politics but like MIM are at the least forwarding these campaign images in their Whatsapp groups.
Siddiq, 32, an active MIM worker, created a special group of party workers where he posts campaign photos and party information. These images and information is then floated in other groups. “It is a better tool to reach out to voters. Images with captions speak louder than speech and also it is easier to convey party message,” Siddiq told TwoCircles.net on Sunday.
Muhammad Zaheer, 56, a local shop keeper, says MIM has created political awareness among the Muslim community and for the first time people are talking about elections in groups.
“I never voted in civic elections but now as our boys have grown interest in politics and are engaged in high-pitched campaigning, I will vote this time. There are many like me who are now understanding the meaning of their vote due to MIM campaigning,” Zaheer said.
To find support from Dalit community, MIM is using slogan ‘Jay Bheem, Jay Mim”, which is also reflected in one of the image circulated on social media. The MIM has given tickets to 15 dalit candidates for the poll. Asaduddin Owaisi, party’s national president, has already announced of appointing dalit as a mayor if it manages to win the elections.
Shiv Sena–BJP alliance has held the civic body since last five terms and Congress-NCP was the lone opposition to it. MIM is fighting the civic elections for the first time and has fielded candidates from 60 wards, including from Shiv Sena strongholds, and is confident of winning from certain wards.