Politicians and social media: Letters to The Editor

Politicians and social media

It's a frequently-asked question if politicians should take to social media. Undeniably, being the representatives elected by the public, politicians must be accessible to the public and social media alone can be used as a wide-reaching tool to reach a huge audience in an era where it's not possible to be physically connected to everyone. Since the words 'social media' refer to 'the exchange of information among people' and 'the medium of communication' respectively, one can hardly say in a word that political leaders should not take to social media. It breaks the traditional barriers of time and distance among people and thus allows easy accessibility and response. It is a profoundly democratic technology which not only enables the political leaders to communicate their policy views but also helps the voters feel more connected to them. When political campaigns are becoming increasingly more expensive and the need to reach out to constituencies is becoming more vital, social media plays a more important role in determining electoral outcomes. Through social media platforms politicians can develop a clear line of communication about the current hot button topics and then publish that on website.

Dipen Gogoi, Teok, Jorhat.

Bad days for the USA

It is known that US President Donald Trump has been permanently suspended from Twitter due to risk of inciting violence. The social media giant has announced this days after his supporters stormed the US Capitol and caused the deaths of four civilians and a police officer. As such, the US administration should take steps and ponder over how to find solution for this issue.

Putul Sarma, Biswanath Chariali.

Clone of Akhil Gogoi

Professor Yogendra Yadav, a self-proclaimed social worker is another clone of our own Akhil Gogoi. The leader of Swaraj India party gained prominence when Anna Hazare-led famous protest in Jantar Mantar, New Delhi for implementation of Jan Lokpal Bill. In the said protest which gained worldwide attention was joined by Akhil Gogoi and present day Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. After the conclusion of the fasting by Anna Hazare, Professor Yogendra Yadav joined Aam Admi Party, only to be later on thrown out of the party. Professor Yadav is all-season and all-weather professional protester. The USP of the Professor is the gamusa that hangs around his neck. When our retired people protested for 'One Rank One Pension', he joined them as an Army personnel, when foreign-funded Shaheen Bagh agitation was on he was there and now he is busy as a farmer in farmers' agitation. This breed of people, including Akhil Gogoi, are born agitators without any responsibility. By joining such rallies they gain attention and a few quick bucks too. That's the reason they never contest any elections, be it local one. Defeat in polls would directly hamper their image as 'social worker', plus it will have severe impact on their professional fees. Now that Akhil Gogoi is projected to contest the forthcoming elections against whichever seat Sarbananda Sonowal contests but only time will tell whether a born professional protester has guts to face the ballot. All the speculations that are trending currently about Akhil Gogoi contesting election is aired by the party members of Raijor Dol. Another veteran person who likes to be guardian of Asomiya is Samujjal Bhattacharya, who declined to retire from the AASU in spite of so many indications from the young brigade of AASU cadres.

Manthan Rudra Kashyap, Boko.

Flop show by Raijor Dol

The first general conference of the Raijor Dol was held in Moran. Prior to holding of the conference a lot of pain was undertaken by the organizers. Party members thought general public would throng the venue on Akhil Gogoi's emotion. The actual picture showed completely different. The conference marked thin attendance as can be seen in its video footages. The empty chairs outnumbered the public. But the office-bearers of the party including the likes of Dhajya Konwar, Shringkhol Chaliha and others tried to put up a brave face. Instead of introspecting the low turnout, they started abusing the ruling party, the BJP and chief opposition party, the Congress as if these two parties stopped public from attending the meet. Unless and until they get rid of trash items like Shringkhol Chaliha and company the real objective of the party will not be fulfilled. The Congress, the oldest party of India is too following the footsteps of Raijor Dol. Recently, a particular news is going around regarding the joining of veteran Mira Borthakur. The lady started her political career with the AGP, then she wore saffron robe, then did make-up as loyalist of Akhil Gogoi during anti-CAA agitation, after that joined another opportunistic leader Ajit Bhuyan's party and now in the hope of getting a ticket from West Guwahati she is almost certain to join the Congress. Senior leaders of the Congress should oppose the inclusion of such 'chameleon people'. Instead of being asset these migratory birds are liabilities for the party. The concentration of sincere Congress workers working in West Guwahati constituency for years gets disturb. But who cares going by the present situation of the Congress, Ripun Bora is willing to take whatever is served on the platter, even if the product is defective or have crossed expiry date.

Rajen Bahadur Doloi, Sonitpur.

Political appeasement

The practice of political appeasement is generally very common in India. A leading national political party has been practising from decades to woo a particular community to gain electoral gains. This practice has now gained worldwide acceptance as very recently Jagmeet Singh, a Canadian MP and also a business tycoon offered his support to the ongoing farmers' agitation in Delhi. This is sheer flouting of diplomatic norms. It is the second instance after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau too extended his support. These two incidents of Canadian PM and MP participating in the farmers' agitation are the glaring example of extra territorial support and funding to the agitation. Punjab cannot solely claim to be agricultural hub of the country. The breach of political protocol by the foreign countries shouldn't be taken lightly by the Government of India.

Dr. Ashim Chowdhury, Guwahati