In the ever-evolving landscape of Indian politics, social media has emerged as a critical battlefield. Notably, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has distinguished itself as a powerhouse in this field, particularly on X (formerly Twitter). As a pioneer among political parties, the BJP recognized the paramount importance of harnessing the power of social media well ahead of its competitors.
The significance of social media in shaping public opinion and influencing voters cannot be overstated, and this trend has gained even more prominence in the current political climate.
The impact of social media continues to escalate, and this was underscored during the recent National Social Media Meeting of the BJP ST Morcha, held on 27 August in New Delhi. During this event, Nagaland and Madhya Pradesh State ST Morchas emerged as the top performers, showcasing their unparalleled engagement on X. The BJP ST Morcha Nagaland is headed by Awan Konyak as president who attended the meeting in Delhi. Konyak is also the chairperson of Bio-Resource Mission, Government of Nagaland.
Statistically, the Nagaland BJP ST Morcha‘s social media presence witnessed a significant surge. Between 2020 and 2023, they produced approximately 1,000 tweets. However, after April 2023, this number skyrocketed to an impressive 4,043 tweets, culminating in a staggering total of approximately 5,043 tweets over just three years.
Tenyebinlo Himb, the State General Secretary In-charge – Social Media/ IT Cell of BJP ST Morcha Nagaland, who also attended the recent Delhi meeting expressed gratitude for the recognition, stating, “Recognition like this is a testament that hard work never goes unnoticed.” Notably, Himb took on the role of social media in charge for the state in April 2023.
“We are thankful, as this recognition places Nagaland on equal footing with other states in the country,” Himb added.
Meanwhile, Minister Imna Along, the BJP’s State President, has consistently made waves with his tweets, garnering nationwide popularity. In stark contrast, the Congress initially underestimated the significance of social media, only to realize its critical role after a series of electoral defeats, prompting them to rethink their strategy and engagement on these platforms.
Moreover, the social media presence of the BJP’s ally, the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), has been steadily gaining momentum. Abu Metha, the advisor to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, stressed the importance of social media during a press conference on behalf of the Nagaland Athletic Association on 2 September. He urged the public to follow their activities through their social media channels, highlighting the NDPP’s increasing prominence in this arena.
This underscores the evolving landscape of Indian politics, where social media has become a powerful tool, and political parties must adapt to this new reality to remain competitive and relevant.