Facebook Emerges as Key Battleground for Bathinda Lok Sabha Candidates
As the political temperature rises in Punjab’s Bathinda constituency, candidates are increasingly turning to Facebook as their preferred battleground for engaging with voters. A recent study of the Facebook accounts of five key nominees reveals a surge in social media activity following the announcement of their candidatures on April 15.
In a first for the Bathinda seat, a multi-cornered contest is underway, with four of the five main contestants vying for a Lok Sabha berth for the first time. Alongside traditional campaigning methods, candidates are prioritizing social media outreach to connect with constituents.
Facebook, known for its user-friendly features, particularly enjoys an edge over other platforms like Instagram and Twitter in Punjab, according to independent analysts. Verified Facebook pages of prominent candidates such as Shiromani Akali Dal’s Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Congress’ Jeetmohinder Sidhu, and Aam Aadmi Party’s Gurmeet Singh Khuidian have seen significant traction since April 15.
Among these candidates, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, a three-time MP and incumbent, leads the pack with 2.07 lakh interactions on her Facebook page. Meanwhile, state agriculture minister Gurmeet Singh Khuidian has garnered over 18,000 comments from followers, reflecting his growing online presence.
Even gangster-turned-politician Lakhbir Singh alias Lakha Sidhana, contesting as an Independent, has made significant strides on Facebook, registering 56,500 interactions. However, BJP’s Parampal Kaur Sidhu, a political newcomer, has seen comparatively slower engagement on the platform since joining the party on April 11.
As candidates harness the power of social media to woo voters, Facebook emerges as a critical battleground in Bathinda’s fiercely contested Lok Sabha elections.
