Social Buzz: Congress’s tribute to Rajiv Gandhi, a ‘Singham’ twist to AAP’s campaign; more

Tribute to Rajiv Gandhi through his videos, speeches

On March 21, 1991, Rajiv Gandhi, the youngest prime minister to have taken office in India yet, was assassinated in a suicide bombing that killed several others. To commemorate this day, the Congress on Tuesday shared multiple videos lauding the sixth prime minister’s efforts in pushing for India’s development in scores of sectors. Two of the videos that made considerable rounds on X featured speeches and the oath Gandhi took while being sworn in as India’s democratic head.

One of his popular speeches, “I too have a dream,” made it to a video shared by the Congress from its official X handle. The over one minute clip shows shots of Gandhi during different stages of his political career – interacting with children, holding rallies, and attending high-office meetings. The former prime minister’s voice, accompanied by inspirational music, reiterates the speech,”India is an old country but a young nation. And like the young everywhere, we impatient. I am young and I too have a dream. I dream of an India – strong, independent, self-reliant and in the forefront and the front-rank of the nation’s of the world in the service of mankind. I am committed to realising that dream through dedication, hard work, and collective determination of our people.”

देश के राजीव pic.twitter.com/qop1fpGie0

— Congress (@INCIndia) May 21, 2024

The clip also featured Congress leader Rahul Gandhi talking about his father being a politically inspiring figure for him, taking the party to the grassroot level of the country. He says in the video, “This is what really helped my father. I could see this process taking place where he would go and meet people, get into their details, understand their details, and look at the big picture. Rajiv ji spoke about the 21st century, he spoke about telecommunications, panchayati raj, and encouraging women’s participation in politics. He had very big dreams.The Congress party has furthered his dreams; it strengthened the common man and the poor.”

AAP’s campaign video on ‘Politics ka Singham’

Additionally, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge shared a similar clip on his own X handle and individually paid tribute to the party hero. In his post he wrote, “Heartfelt tribute to the visionary of 21st century modern India, father of Indian information revolution, architect of Panchayati Raj empowerment, and pioneer of peace and harmony, former Prime Minister, Bharat Ratna Rajiv Gandhi ji on his martyrdom day. His remarkable contribution in making India a strong and powerful nation will always be remembered.”

21वीं सदी के आधुनिक भारत के स्वप्नदृष्टा, भारतीय सूचना क्रांति के जनक, पंचायतीराज सशक्तिकरण के सूत्रधार, एवं शांति व सद्भाव के पुरोधा, पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री, भारत रत्न राजीव गाँधी जी के बलिदान दिवस पर उन्हें भावभीनी श्रद्धांजलि।

भारत को एक सुदृढ़ एवं सशक्त राष्ट्र बनाने में उनके… pic.twitter.com/O8ZMfWZSA8

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) May 21, 2024

Meanwhile, the AAP took a different approach in its social media campaigning on Tuesday. The party got its supporters literally “laughing out loud” as they shared a edited clip of Ajay Devgn’s movie Singham, but featuring Arvind Kejriwal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the “janta”   The video, which rolls on for over three minutes, focuses on the scene where Bajirao Singham or Arvind Kejriwal bravely faces his arch-nemesis, the corrupt politician Jaikant Shikre or “Modi” as the latter is defeated by the “janta” who are in stark support for the former.

The video especially attacks allegations of Electoral Bonds abuse by the BJP and its party head, and also features the imprisonment of the AAP party supremo. With voice-over dubs that play on the current political upheavals in the country, foreshadowing the upcoming general elections, the AAP clip stirred considerable reactions among its supporters. The video titled “Politics ka Singham,” was further captioned with “Dilli ka saat seat par hoga BJP ka patta saaf.”

Kejriwal plays drums at Jamshedpur rally

The AAP’s contribution to our list does not end there. Another clip, shared by PTI, warmed the hearts of many a supporters on X. In the less than 30-second footage, the Delhi CM can be seen attempting to, and quite enjoying, playing drums after an election rally in Jharkhand’s Jamshedpur. Surrounded by party workers, supporters, and reporters, the AAP chief gives the musical instrument a brief shot before handing over the drumsticks.

VIDEO | Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) plays a drum following his rally in Jharkhand’s Jamshedpur.

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/dv5TRARJn4) pic.twitter.com/C6UMFeo2RW

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 21, 2024

BJP on Instagram: ‘From the Dark Ages… to Bharat striking back’

The BJP’s campaigning on Instagram, on the other hand, showcased the military might the country has accumulated since the saffron party took governance in 2018. The video starts with an animated representation of the 2002 Mumbai terror attacks labelled “From the Dark Ages…to Bharat striking back in style,” as the sequence moves onto high-end drones flying to attack in a background of bright saffron. The brief reel concludes with a voice saying, “Kamal ka button dabaye…Vajpa ko jitayein.”

 

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A post shared by BJP – Bharatiya Janata Party (@bjp4india)