SHILLONG: As this is an era of digital media, the politicians of Meghalaya are also going digital by using social media to disseminate information about their various activities besides interacting with the citizens. Now, with Assembly elections fast approaching, the number of politicians joining the bandwagon is increasing by the day.
There are many politicians like IT minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh, Sports Minister, Zenith Sangma, MLAs Jemino Mawthoh and Paul Lyngdoph to name a few who are using the social media.
In recent past, even former Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), Chief Executive Member (CEM) P N Syiem too has joined the Facebook of late. The Chief Minister, Mukul Sangnma has also now come up with a new page though he already had some pages in Facebook.
Sharing their views on the matter, IT minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh who has been using Facebook and Twitter for a very long time, said that she had decided to start using the social media since people have a notion that it is very difficult to meet politicians including her. Now, therefore, people are using the social media platforms to interact with her on various subjects including health, education and infrastructure.
“When people pose questions, I immediately try to respond and bridge the gap,” she said.
She, however, lamented that many times, she came across characters in social media who sound rude and blast their way with their language
She disagreed with the notion that only youth are using the social media and said she came across people of all age groups and background who used social media, and many interesting views were also generated from interactions with such people.
On the other hand, Nongthymmai MLA, Jemino Mawthoh asserted that social media was the fastest mode of communication in today’s world which enabled everyone to keep a track of the activities all around
Admitting that conventional method of campaigning took more time to connect with people, Mawthoh added that the biggest advantage of social media was that it’s a two-way traffic where politicians as well as people can respond and interact with each other.
“I usually look at reactions and try to analyze the mind of people,” he said.
He also informed that he would be using social media like Facebook and others as a mode of campaign to a certain extend in the upcoming Assembly elections 2018.
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