App way to know more about your candidate

Even though the standoff over the seat-sharing issue between the Congress and the NCP for the upcoming Maharashtra assembly polls continues, the individual aspirants, have started their online campaign. Candidates have come up with mobile apps that would provide all information about them including their background and manifesto.

Social media was successfully used during the general election in April 2014. The online campaign is not just limited to social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, but also on social messengers like WhatsApp. So, what is the next best step that would tell you about your candidate? A candidate-based app.

"Demand for online campaign is huge. Every candidate wants something new and innovative to attract voters. And we our a country of youngsters, who use smartphones. We have made several personal apps for a lot of MLAs including, Vijay Shivtare, Shivsena, from Purandar tehsil of Pune district; Vilas Lande, NCP, Bhosri; Laxman Jagtap, Independent, Chinchwad; Rajwardhan Kadambande, ex-MLA of Dhule," said Mukesh Agarwal, head of marketing, Anomaly Solution Private Limited.

He added, "The app cost in lakhs. But this is the best way to reach the voters for these candidates."

Apart from creating the app, candidates also have a small team of content writers, who have a strong command on Marathi language and they tend to write quirky and creative messages for the candidates to attract voters.

"Nowadays most of the candidates are focusing on online campaigns. They know that now everyone uses smartphones. So to access information regarding their candidate tend to become easier. Also, this is the quickest way to reach out to people,"said, Keshav Upadhya, spokeperson, BJP.