Since February 25, 2010, Shobha Karandlaje, member of the legislative assembly and former minister for rural development and panchayati raj, has been actively using the Internet to connect to the vast numbers of people who wish to keep in touch with her.
She is the first prominent politician in the state to put the internet to such thorough use. Karandlaje uses twitter, writes a blog, and is available to her fans on Facebook. What’s more, she is taking lessons to be tech-savvy.
Ever since she first launched her website in late February, Karandlaje received 750 mails. She is scrupulous about answering those who write in. Her blog recorded 2,860 hits on the very first day of its launch.
Speaking to DNA, Karandlaje said that she posted tweets to stay in touch with the people, and to offer what help she could, as part of her interest in social service. “I wanted to keep in touch with the IT sector, and I struck upon this as the best way. I used to find it difficult to stay in touch with so many people, but this is ideal. I reply to 100 mails everyday,” she said.
According to her office, any complaint that comes Karandlaje’s way finds a response within 48 hours. There have been instances when people have drawn her attention to the state of roads in the areas under the jurisdiction of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). Karandlaje had approached the BBMP commissioner with these complaints and spurred the Palike into prompt action.
The former minister is being tutored in using the Internet by Ravi Narayan, a partner in Dhyeya Technologies, a city-based software firm.
“Karandlaje got in touch with the firm when she saw the BJP website that was designed by us. She makes a blog entry every week. It took her only about an hour to figure it out. The reason Karandlaje took to the Internet is because it aids her social work,” Narayan said.
So will other politicians in the state follow suit? IT-BT minister Katta Subramanya Naidu is keen to tweet. MLA Suresh Kumar and MLC Manoharmatki use Facebook.
Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa has a website, although he does not respond to emails. “It’s nice to be connected,” says Karandlaje, “and heartening that so many people come to me with their concerns.”
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