In
fact, local software companies have won over several Maharashtra
politicians, like Ajit Pawar, Nawab Malik and Ram Kadam, with mobile
apps that promise a smooth run of this election.
The apps allow
users to download voter lists for specific constituencies, do searches
based on gender or location and send messages to select voters. Though
some campaign managers are sceptical about these apps, politicians are
not taking chances with tales of how technology won the recent Lok Sabha
elections still doing the rounds. "If you don't adopt technology, you
will become outdated na?" says Malik, the NCP spokesperson and MLA from
Anushakti Nagar. He says his Voter List of Anushakti Nagar app has
received a good response.
Jiten Gajaria, convener of the BJP's
social media cell, says apps can be used to fine-tune data. "If somebody
has moved house or got married after the LS elections, I can revise my
data so that campaign material reaches all," he says.
The
technology, available even during the LS polls, seems to have taken off
in Maharashtra now. Pune-based Tushar Nikam's KTech Beans Software has
49 apps under the Rajyog brand. "I expect 100 more projects after
tickets are finalised. Many are waiting before investing," says Nikam,
whose mobile app costs Rs 25,000, while a desktop version is available
for Rs 50,000. However, some politicians say such packages are priced
upwards of Rs 1 lakh. Nikam says bickering over seats won't have an
impact as workers can use these apps even on the last day. He adds
downloads will pick up 10-15 days before polling when campaigning is at
its peak. "When voters come to booths, workers can enter details have a
final tally from each booth at the end of the day," he says.
"It takes time to make people adopt a system. Unless your workers are
committed, how will you put these apps to good use?" says Dilip Chalil,
head of the Congress's IT and social media. A campaign manager claims
the profusion of apps is directly proportional to politicians'
gullibility. "Many think apps are the same as social media and
businessmen are making a packet out of this," says the manager.
But tech-savvy politicians would disagree. Panvel MLA Prashant Thakur,
who joined the BJP on Tuesday, earlier sent out bulk SMSes to people in
his constituency. "Do you think Prashant Thakur should fight this
election? If yes, then give a missed call on...," the SMS said.
Vinod Shekhar, a Congress aspirant from Colaba, too sent bulk messages
and voice mails to voters in his constituency asking if they support his
candidature. "This election we have very less time for canvassing," he
told TOI. Krishna Hegde, a Congress incumbent from Vile Parle says he
sought people's mandate through his Facebook account. "Candidates will
not get much time for campaigns so they are adopting such measures,"
says a PR consultant who handles social media drives for politicians.
BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari said, "While taking up such campaigns
one should remember they are also encroaching upon people's privacy. BJP
and many other parties have done such campaigns in the past but at
times people rejected such practices through their mandate," he said.
