PANJIM: While the Election Commission of India (ECI) has banned political parties from posting banners around the State for the February 4 polls, nothing has stopped them from using alternate, yet far more effective means of self-promotion. Almost all the major political parties have completely invaded the audio-visual media space and are doing all that it takes to condition the minds of Goan voters to vote for them.
To summarise the situation in completely blunt yet simple terms, Congress has taken over the radio, BJP is dominating on YouTube and the foot soldiers of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have stormed the smartphones and the streets of Goa, all making themselves appear everywhere.
Here are a few interesting statistics – a sales and marketing manager working with a leading national radio station based in Goa, on condition of anonymity, said, “Most political parties started their campaigns with us from January 23 which will go on till February 2. We have almost all national political parties advertising with us, and the total spend by political parties and candidates for the duration is around Rs 15-16 lakh. The ratio of advertisements by political parties and candidates, versus other advts stands at 60:40 currently. All the political parties are spending equally, with the exception of Congress and BJP who are spending a little more.”
Then there are supporters of AAP have been accused, ironically by the aam aadmi (common man) of intruding their personal space. Shoving AAP’s signature caps forcibly through the windows of the cars passing by, is an excellent example.
