TMC social media thrust

TT, Jalpaiguri: Trinamul leaders in Jalpaiguri on Thursday organised a workshop to train party workers in social media ahead of the panchayat elections this year.

Diptanshu Chowdhury and Suparno Moitra, both associated with the social media cell of Trinamul, spoke at the meet.

"We have started conducting workshops for workers, especially youths, on how they should use social media for the party. The BJP and some other parties have been maligning Trinamul by disseminating baseless information through social media. We have to counter it and simultaneously use it to garner support base for the party," said Chowdhury.

That Trinamul is focussing on the social media was evident as chief minister Mamata Banerjee, speaking at the north Bengal convention of Trinamul Youth Congress held in Siliguri last month, had said youngsters should use social media as a tool to campaign for the party.

"Most youths use smartphones these days. That is why they have been brought under training. In each district, there will be a dedicated team for social media. In southern parts of the state, we have conducted such workshops. In north Bengal, we have started with Jalpaiguri," Chowdhury said.

The idea is to reach to every cellphone user in villages and towns and highlight the party's and the state government's initiatives and achievements.

"Those who would be assigned the responsibility have been informed about the party's stance. We are against personal attacks or political propaganda. Along with the campaign, they will make posts to counter the claims of our political opponents," Saikat Chatterjee, the Jalpaiguri district Trinamul Youth president, said.

In Jalpaiguri, around 400 such party workers will be engaged in the process.

"The state's schemes, and how they can help the public, should be explained to people. We plan to use social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram. Those working in districts would be asked to share such posts among maximum possible people," said Moitra, the other social media trainer.