In a recent unexpected turn of events, the Telangana Congress invited controversy by posting a poll on its official Twitter handle, asking the public to choose between two governance options: Farmhouse Governance and Public Governance.
The Congress government likely anticipated overwhelming support for the second option, "Public Governance," and might have even recruited some netizens to ensure a favorable outcome.
However, to their shock, the poll closed with a resounding 67% in favor of "Farmhouse Governance," which many believe to be a subtle show of support for the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
This result has rattled the Congress leadership. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, along with several ministers, have come forward claiming that the poll was either rigged or hacked.
But such statements are hardly convincing to the public, who are well aware of the role social media plays in shaping perceptions.
This poll outcome highlights the strength of BRS's social media.
While online polls cannot be considered as a true reflection of the public mandate, they do provide insight into the strength of social media networks.
The crux of the matter is clear; the Telangana Congress appears to have a much weaker social media presence compared to the BRS.
This incident serves as a reminder that social media influence is becoming an increasingly powerful force in political battles, even if it doesn't always translate directly into electoral success.
This public poll on Congress' official handle backfired badly, bringing embarrassment to Revanth Reddy's leadership.
