Maharashtra: Social media conflict rooms powering election campaigns within the digital area | Mumbai Information

“Apart from sales space monitoring, our group creates, approves and posts content material on our candidate’s official social media channels. We keep away from criticising rivals, as a substitute specializing in highlighting our achievements,” stated Alpesh Kadam, BJP’s cooperative cell president for Thane metropolis.

Figuring out of an area conflict room in Thane, Kadam leads a group of 9 “tremendous warriors”—celebration volunteers who handle each social media and on-ground actions within the 9 prabhags (divisions) beneath the Thane constituency. As well as, 5 members are devoted solely to managing Thane’s BJP candidate’s social media accounts.

Comparable conflict rooms exist for each BJP candidate within the state, with every constituency internet hosting a devoted group. “We now have a powerful social media group on the state degree, however every candidate additionally has their very own conflict room, run with native celebration help. Content material is posted on to candidates’ handles, all the time aligned with celebration ideas,” a BJP spokesperson stated.

The social media wing on the state degree screens media portals, tracks opposition content material, and revisits archival knowledge, producing posters, articles, and different materials for social media. As soon as accepted by the celebration management, the content material is shared throughout platforms.

Along with social media, the BJP additionally makes use of robocalls, SMS and WhatsApp for its outreach. For Congress, the idea of a “conflict room” takes a special form. Whereas particular person candidates have their very own “media departments”, the celebration has established regional conflict rooms in areas like Western Maharashtra, Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Mumbai.

Earlier this 12 months, Congress introduced in former MLA Vamshi Reddy who arrange conflict rooms in key metro cities. These work intently with the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, Mumbai Congress Committee, and AICC. Every conflict room is staffed with 15-20 folks, together with a analysis group.

“Our conflict rooms monitor macro points throughout the state, collect knowledge, and create content material for social media. For instance, we shortly shared content material when our manifesto was launched,” stated Nadeem Nusrath, Normal Secretary of Mumbai Congress. “Our purpose is to ship the message swiftly and counter false narratives by sticking to information.” After the elections, Congress plans to dissolve these conflict rooms and redirect groups to new assignments.

In the meantime, the NCP(SP) has arrange almost 86 conflict rooms throughout Maharashtra, every devoted to the constituencies their candidates are contesting. The central conflict room, based mostly in Mumbai, coordinates with these regional groups.

“These conflict rooms work across the clock, monitoring points statewide and guaranteeing most attain through social media platforms like Instagram, Fb, and X (previously Twitter),” stated Clyde Crasto, nationwide spokesperson for NCP(SP). “If there’s a rally, we stay stream speeches to attach instantly with the general public.”

Shiv Sena additionally maintains a devoted conflict room that creates content material for social media. To decentralise, most candidates have their very own particular person channels as nicely. Along with celebration staff, the Sena enlists exterior companies for technical duties.

“Our conflict room’s major purpose is to focus on our growth initiatives and welfare schemes, utilizing clips from the CM’s speeches,” a Shiv Sena supply stated.