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BJP launches schemes to distribute smartphones to BPL families, poor youth with aim to exploit its strong social media presence ahead of elections.

New Delhi: The BJP is banking on smartphones in its bid to retain power in the politically crucial states of Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, scheduled to head to the polls later this year.

In both states, the ruling BJP governments have already embarked on massive schemes for the free distribution of smartphones, which have the NaMo app, the Prime Minister’s official app, inbuilt.

In Rajasthan, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje is targeting one crore families under the Bhamashah Digital Parivar Yojana and has identified below poverty line (BPL) families and youths from poor backgrounds to distribute the smartphones.

Also read: BJP sees NaMo app ruckus as a ‘boon’ as it distracted opposition, got record downloads

It is a similar demographic that the BJP government in Chhattisgarh is targeting under its Sanchar Kranti Yojana. Chief Minister Raman Singh hopes to reach out to more than 45 lakh people digitally.

The BJP is not launching a similar initiative in Madhya Pradesh, the other high-profile state headed for elections, as it believes that there are enough schemes in the state to court voters.

Sources in the BJP said the distribution of the smartphones is part of the party’s strategy to exploit its strong social media presence ahead of the elections. The BJP had stormed to power in 2014 on the back of its social media efforts. It now hopes to replicate the success in these two states through the smartphone distribution.

Also read: Modi says no more ‘dirt’ on social media – Crackdown on hate speech or BJP political gimmick?

“There are people who are young and those who are not connected digitally with the government. They all will get covered under smartphone disbursal scheme,” said a senior BJP leader. “It is a strategy to reach out to people who remained untouched by the fast-changing technology-driven world”.

Apps inbuilt, govt ties up with telecoms

In Chhattisgarh, the state government is distributing 45 lakh Micromax phones with Reliance Jio connections.

“The contracts were awarded through tenders. The market price of a Micromax is Rs 5,000 but we are giving it for free. The connectivity of telecom services was bad but now it has improved immensely,” said a senior official in the state government.

The Rajasthan government is providing a smartphone along with a connection that will cost it Rs 1,000.

“The phone for Rs 500 and Rs 500 for the network can be availed at special government camps,” said a state official. “The company of phone and service provider is yet to be shortlisted as the planning department only invited Expression of Interest on September 1 from telecom companies and smartphone manufacturers.”

While the Namo app is inbuilt in all the phones, the devices in Rajasthan are likely to also contain an app in the name of Chief Minister Raje, sources said.

“The debate on what other apps can be inbuilt is still on,” said a senior party leader.

Also read: Modi tells MPs – Increase social media following to 3 lakh or ticket may be in jeopardy

The BJP, though, isn’t the only party offering tech sops. In its manifesto for the Karnataka elections earlier this year, the Congress had promised free smartphones for college students.

The AAP government in Delhi had promised free Wi-Fi, which it is yet to fulfil.

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