Trinamool Congress Mobilizes Digital Army for Bengal Election Battle
Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee issued a clear directive to his party's IT cell on Monday. He told them to aggressively counter what he called the BJP's misinformation campaign against West Bengal. Banerjee made these remarks at the 'Ami Banglar Digital Joddha Conclave' held at Milan Mela in Kolkata.
A Five-Day Plan and a Hundred-Day Strategy
Banerjee instructed the party's digital team to prepare an immediate five-day action plan. This quick response would be followed by a detailed timeline spanning 100 to 110 days. He stressed the critical nature of the online battleground. The Trinamool Congress could not afford to lose even an inch of digital space to its political rivals.
The leader cited several reasons for this urgent mobilization. He pointed to recent Enforcement Directorate searches at the office of I-PAC, a political consultancy. He also mentioned what he described as divisive propaganda spread by BJP leaders online.
Focus on Development and Exposing Discrimination
Banerjee laid out a specific strategy for the digital warriors. Their primary task is to showcase the revolutionary development work done by the state government. He asked them to research projects area by area. They must find out how much funding was spent and publicize these details widely.
"Don't bother about which leader is doing what," Banerjee advised. "Use your presence of mind and use your phone." He encouraged them to collect video testimonials from people about development in their localities. These personal stories should then be shared across social media platforms.
The Diamond Harbour MP accused the BJP-led central government of sustained hostility. He claimed it was creating financial and administrative hurdles for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He highlighted specific welfare schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar, housing projects, and road construction. Posting relentlessly about this grassroots development, he argued, would be enough to defeat the opposition.
Ambitious Electoral Targets and a Call for Decorum
Banerjee set ambitious goals for the upcoming assembly polls. "In 2021, I said we had to get 214 seats. This time, we have to get 250 seats," he declared. He vowed to ensure the BJP's tally falls below 50 seats. However, he emphasized that this victory would require systematic work from the digital team.
He urged party workers to use every available platform. This includes X, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Facebook Live, and WhatsApp. A key message involves central funds. Banerjee alleged the Centre is withholding Rs 680 crore for every assembly constituency. He told workers to inform voters about this perceived discrimination.
Banerjee also raised questions about the ED's actions. He noted that I-PAC has three directors. While one office in Kolkata was searched, the offices in Delhi and Hyderabad were not. "They came here to steal information," he alleged.
Despite the aggressive posture, Banerjee cautioned his team against using abusive language. "We will do everything in a rational way. We won't belittle anybody," he stated, calling for a principled online campaign.
The conclave brought together IT cell members, student leaders, and party functionaries. It signals the Trinamool Congress's full-scale entry into the digital political arena as Bengal prepares for a heated electoral contest.
