PM Narendra Modi might have kicked off the “digital India” campaign, but are his political colleagues ready to imbibe the change?
Modi ran an entire election campaign through social media and has millions of followers on Facebook and Twitter. In his footsteps, BJP’s Meenakshi Lekhi had decided to start an app called Constituency Connect, but it hasn’t taken off yet. Lekhi said there is “bureaucratic lethargy”, which is slowing the digital progress.
Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said, “Never before there was so much power on the finger tips. It is not yet a tool of accountability, but internet does help people to weigh in their issues, and also instruct politicians.”
Meanwhile, internet has helped build transparency. One of the first changes was in travel dominated by middlemen.
E-ticketing reduced that. It has also helped in bulding a network effect for politicians, especially who do not have a lineage.
“Today the common people are more aware. You can build your network through digital platforms,” said Jay Panda, Biju Janta Dal MP.
Panda also pointed out that in the political fraternity the use of Internet is not yet a well structured tool of accountability, but is definitely forcing authorities to be more accountable.
Pavan K. Varma, member of Parliament, Janta Dal United said, “No politician can stay away from the Internet.” He also said that one of the earlier problems that politicians faced was that information did not reach them on time. At least Internet and social media has solved that problem to a large extent.
Sunil Jain, managing editor of The Financial Express, who moderated the session said that over a million responses to the Trai’s consultation paper on over-the-top players reflected the awareness of people with regard to Internet and its potential in the country.
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