Political parties go virtual, knock on doors following ban on rallies

With Election commission of India (ECI) restricting physical road-shows, rallies by political parties till January 22, political parties in Manipur to take to virtual mode and house to house visits to reach out to the voters.The state is going to two-phase assembly polls on February 27 and March 3.Manipur BJP president, Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi told ET, “Following the ECI guidelines we will reach out to the voters virtually, telephonically and one to one visits.”

She added, “Our workers had already across the state visited houses and met the people highlighting government schemes and policies. We are in constant touch with the people.”BJP will contest all the 60 assembly seats. She said, “We will contest all the 60 seats and will win over two-third seats.”Congress is planning to use social media extensively to reach out to the voters.K Meghachandra Singh, Working President of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) said, “BJP has conducted several mega state level meetings and rallies and now there is a ban on big rallies.”He added, “We will use social media to reach out to the voters. Besides media briefings we will also do virtual rallies. Congress party will contest all the 60 seats.” Covid-19 cases in poll bound Manipur have been rising with the positivity rate increased from 4.1 per cent to 7.1 per cent in the last couple of days.Manipur Health and Family Welfare Department’s Additional Director Khoirom Sasbeekumar Mangang said, “During the holidays the positivity rate is little less and during the working days the Covid-19 positivity rate is increasing.”Seven Omicron infected patients, recently found in Manipur, were discharged from the hospital after recovery.Manipur’s National Health Mission (NHM) reports stated that the daily positivity rate of 4.1 per cent on January 10 rose to 7.1 per cent on Friday night. The daily positivity rate increased to 8.6 per cent on January 12.