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Social media influencing voting pattern a myth, says Minister PTR

CHENNAI:

State Finance Minister PTR Palanivel Thiaga Rajan on Thursday said the average electorate in the south are well aware and thoughtful in exercising their franchise. The Finance Minister said that voters prefer candidates who were accessible and deliver promises made to the people. He also dismissed the concept that social media influencing the voting pattern and called it a “myth” and emphasised the importance of micro-level campaigning in winning elections.

Delivering the inaugural address of THALAIVA workshop, the Minister said the climate of politics has changed drastically from “Thinnai Pracharam” of the Dravidian Movement in early 1920s to the social media campaigns in the south now. The change is happening very fast and it was a welcome one.”

Nonetheless, it was starkly different from north India, particularly the Hindi heartland, he said, adding, “The primary difference is relatively lower education, economic progress and penetration of technology (in the Hindi heartland). You can control the message and the campaign can be carried out in the traditional way by party mechanism and through TV and radio.”

Social media influence is not viable here in the absence of data equity despite penetration of technology. Social media can be used only at a macro level as a tool for campaign, he said. Citing the voting in his constituency Madurai Central from 2011, he added that the voting pattern is very different from what is seen in rallies and massive campaigns. “It is incredibly sophisticated. The average voter is very thoughtful and aware of self-interest and votes accordingly. They prefer leaders who are “Mr Clean” and “Mr Accessible” who can deliver and meet their demands,” he observed.

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2023-02-03T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-02-03T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://news.dtnext.in/article/281891597422088

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