Social Buzz: Meme-ful day of election campaigning, across party lines

Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar continued his election pitch even as a banner fell in the middle of his speech. We take a look at all that's buzzing today!

Memes on social media by political parties

Political parties used memes to attack one another on social media. (X)

As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections entered its second half, political parties that have been campaigning in full force also continue to find unique ways to one up each other’s social media game. The theme of today’s virtual campaigns, across party lines was — A war of memes!

While it’s not news that people indulge in meme fests day in and day out, it is to be noted that political parties have maintained a finger on the pulse this election season! Let’s take a look at the posts which have created a meme-ful buzz today:

Modi creates buzz in UP today, so does @BJP4UP!

Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned his focus on Uttar Pradesh on Thursday and hit out at the Opposition-led INDIA bloc. He addressed election rallies in Jaunpur, Bhadohi, Pratapgarh and Lalganj, all of which are bound for polls on May 25.

Meanwhile, BJP’s Uttar Pradesh unit continued the charge with the same gusto online. Their social media post for the day was a meme based on the game of musical chairs, accompanied by a shayari (couplet) as well!

The post showcases the last round of the game with one chair remaining at the centre. Caricatures of five political leaders are depicted running around the chair, in an apparent dig at the INDIA bloc.

खयाली कुर्सी का मोह है बड़ा निराला,

छाएगी मायूसी जब निकलेगा दिवाला!#ठगबंधन pic.twitter.com/gGx75c6yFf

— BJP Uttar Pradesh (@BJP4UP) May 16, 2024

The Hindi couplet in the caption roughly translates to: “The fascination for the imaginary chair is very strange. Despair will prevail when bankruptcy comes.”

At the rally in UP’s Pratapgarh Thursday evening, the PM said the INDIA bloc wants to make five prime ministers in five years, and claimed that it will disintegrate after June 4. “Many things will happen after June 4. The INDI alliance will disintegrate and they will look for a scapegoat after the defeat,” he said.

TMC goes the ‘Hindu-Muslim’ route

About two days after PM Modi’s statement — “I will not do Hindu-Muslim” — triggered reactions online, the Trinamool Congress picked it as the theme for its meme of the day.

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Using the term “H v/s M”, the TMC said: “Hindu-Muslim, @BJP4India’s favourite brand of politics!”

The post uses the logo design of a popular fashion brand to make the statement, in an attempt to make it quirky and appealing to young voters. “Dividing the nation since 2014,” the tagline further read.

Hindu-Muslim, @BJP4India‘s favourite 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 of politics! pic.twitter.com/DRLL5H1JEk

— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) May 16, 2024

It is interesting to note that the PM, who was in UP’s Lalganj for a rally this morning, accused the Opposition of spreading lies over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), saying it is “making Hindus and Muslims fight by doing vote bank politics”.

“The people of the country now know that by doing vote bank politics and making Hindus and Muslims fight, you let the nation burn in a communal fire for over 60 years. You wore a garb of secularism, but Modi has exposed your truth,” Modi said.

Congress makes the “difference clear”

A week’s worth of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s speeches had a reference to “Adani and Ambani”. Now, the grand old party’s post on Thursday used it to draw a comparison between “Modi ka tempo” and “Mohabbat ki dukaan”.

Farq Saaf Hai 👇 pic.twitter.com/Dz14guztVd

— Congress (@INCIndia) May 16, 2024

The meme shows a tempo named as “Adani tempo service” on one side and Rahul Gandhi walking hand-in-hand with a common man on the other. The post is captioned “Farq saaf hai (The difference is clear)”.

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AAP has a take on Modi’s “retirement”

Using the ruling party’s popular slogan for the ongoing the Lok Sabha polls — “Abki baar 400 paar” — the Aam Aadmi Party gave it a spin to take a dig at the Prime Minister.

In an internet-favourite meme format, the party said: “Abki baar 75 paar, retirement ko taiyaar (This time, cross 75, get ready for retirement)”

अबकी बार 400 पार ❌

अबकी बार 75 पार, Retirement को तैयार ✅ pic.twitter.com/tkpCOXF0bg

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) May 16, 2024

This is in reference to a statement made by the AAP chief and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, where he suggested that Modi would “retire” after turning 75. He said that PM Modi was not asking people to vote for him but for Home Minister Amit Shah because after he turns 75 in September 2025, he will retire as per the rules created by him.

To this, Amit Shah had responded and said: “I want to say this to Arvind Kejriwal and company and INDI alliance that do not need to feel happy about Narendra Modi turning 75. No such thing is mentioned in the BJP’s constitution. Modi ji is going to complete this term and Modi ji will continue to lead the country into the future. There is no confusion within the BJP; they want to create confusion.”

Meanwhile…

Even as a banner came crashing down on the stage, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar continued his election rally speech in Satana in Maharashtra’s Nashik district today.

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”The banner fell due to gusty winds. It fell on the stage where our party chief Sharad Pawar was delivering his speech. He continued for a while and then wound up the speech,” NCP (SP) spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said.

Vibha B Madhava

Vibha B Madhava is a sub-editor at the news desk for IndianExpress.com. She is interested in writing about gender, culture and politics of ableism. Having specialised in digital journalism, she is keen to explore various forms of interactive, multimedia storytelling. Apart from that, she also likes to experiment with social media. Qualification, Degrees/other achievements: Bachelor's degree in Media and Communication from Manipal Institute of Communication, Manipal Academy of Higher Education. PG Diploma in Integrated Multimedia Journalism from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. With The Indian Express, this is Vibha's first stint in pursuing journalism in a full-time capacity. Previous internship experience: Deccan Herald, Bengaluru; The News Minute, Bengaluru; The Mojo Story; Radio Indigo 91.9 and Fever FM 94.3 (Hyderabad) You can find her on Twitter as @VibhaBMadhava , on LinkedIn (Vibha B Madhava), or write to her at vibha.madhava@indianexpress.com. ... Read More