Election campaign goes the smart way

Nellore: Now, the electioneering process in the district is confined to door-to-door campaign, publicity through social media, web channels and interactions with the leaders behind the screen, thanks to the technological development for adopting smart campaign. In fact, elections were festival days earlier for party workers, sympathisers, and middlemen, who used to lure the voters. Huge crowds visit the houses with flags, seek support from voters, vehicles like tractors, jeeps travel continuously in the constituency with loudspeakers, fun of party activists and many others.

Now, there is no presence of flexis, banners, flags, wall writing, and others as used in previous elections. Analysts say major chunk of expenditure goes to management of leaders, distribution of money if possible and sundry expenses. Major communication is being provided through own WhatsApp groups and also from the groups meant for communication. Almost all candidates have started campaign in the district much before filing nominations. The process started on Monday till now no nominations has been filed for both Parliament and Assembly constituencies.

Candidates are engaging their family members to woo support of the voters on their behalf due to shortage of time. In Nellore city, daughter of Narayana has been busy with meeting voters. Son of Minister Somireddy is busy in Sarvepalli constituency along with his father. MP candidate from the ruling party Beeda Mastan Rao hasn't started campaign and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) candidate Adala Prabhakar Reddy jumped into action as soon as the party declared his candidature.

YSRCP have already completed one round of campaign in the district as majority are sitting legislators, who were given tickets. Ruling party delayed some constituencies and finally announced candidates, who are also getting ready for meeting the voters for their support. People are also getting voice messages over mobile, appeals through social media and also simple ways of communication.