Orkutters’ rally to support Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad

Narendra ModiAhmedabad, Dec. 11: Orkut, the social networking website, gained a new dimension when several of its members congregated here for the first time to showcase their political support for their favourite party and its leader.

About 200 members of Namo, an Orkut community, who knew each other only through their interaction on Orkut, met here on Sunday to hold a rally in support of their favourite Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra Modi.

“NAMO” community has about 6,500 registered members from all walks of life who enjoy discussing Gujarat politics and popularising Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

“This is perhaps for the first time a community from Orkut has organised a rally. We have received people from Vietnam and Australia. We have people who have come from Australia also. So it's a great response, " said Maulik Bhagat, the owner of Namo community.

The members said that their community on the popular networking site has enabled them to express their opinion beyond votes for their favourite leader.

"People have come from different parts of Gujarat and outside Gujarat. They have been hearing about Narendra Modi and they also know a lot about the developments that happened in Gujarat. They want to show great support towards him, " said Bhavya, an IT professional and member of the community.

Though there are a large number of community groups formed on the Orkut which debate and promote ongoing political theatrics, any political campaign taking a shape of rally was unheard of in Gujarat.

Speeches of leaders, campaign material, discussions and online surveys generally form a part of such e-campaigning now a days.

Over 36 million voters will elect the 182-member Gujarat Assembly as the official term of the State's legislative assembly expires on December 26, 2007.

The two-phased Gujarat Assembly elections are being held on December 11 and 16 respectively with Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress Party being the two main political parties in Gujarat. (ANI)

People: 
Regions: