The world of 140 characters has fascinated many a politico from around the world, the latest to join was senior Congress leader P Chidambaram who debuted on Monday. Lets take a look at some of the politicians in India who are active on the social media platform, who spar, brawl and sometimes trip all over the twitterverse
Narendra Modi
@narendramodi
Modi’s connection to twitter dates back to his days as the Gujarat Chief Minister when he announced new schemes and also took potshots at the incumbent UPA at Centre. Among the most memorable vignettes was his selfie after casting his vote last year. However, after becoming the PM, it has more been about big ideas: Swach Bharat and Make in India are two of the most popular ones.
Shashi Tharoor
@ShashiTharoor
This is what happens when a compulsive communicator, a writer no less, meets a virtual multiverse. Tharoor sparred and charmed, and also ate some shoes with comments like ‘cattle class’ at a time when austerity was the State-imposed fashion.
Subramanian Swamy
@Swamy39
This is what happens when Raging Bull takes to twitter. Swami is a pugilist in search of a person or object to land the punches on, and he does not seem to believe in any limits when it comes to attacking rivals. *Elis*, *Porukkis* are some of the words that he loves to use. After all, why should he be any different here?
Arvind Kejriwal and the AAP
@ArvindKejriwal
For a party that is named after common man and has broom as symbol for good measure, Kejriwal and gang made a splash also because of twitter. They comment, debate, and discuss on the platform, and fine tuned their stratefy accordingly with good results. Recently, the AAP’s twitter handle began a series of sub-textual handles that highlighted AAP initiatives and even the media coverage
Derek O’Brien
@quizderek
Like Jay Panda, this quizmaster-turned-politician from TMC plays an important role in getting the party line across in the cacophony in the national capital where regional voices are often drowned.
Omar Abdullah
@Abdullah_Omar
Omar is the cocky kid on twitter, one who is ever ready with a repartee on all things Kashmir. And while on vacations abroad, posts photos of awesome SUVs.
Khushbu
@khushsundar
There are several politicians in Tamil Nadu on twitter, but none quite like her. She is pugnacious and charming in equal measure, it all depends on what is being discussed.
Bijayant ‘Jay’ Panda
@PandaJay
His party, the BJD, is a regional party relevant only in one State, but he keeps its voice on key issues heard while the nation is pretending to solve its serious issues every night at 9.