BJP, Shiv Sena at war to expose fake Twitter profiles

Mumbai: Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are now trading blows digitally ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election, as an online war over fake Twitter profiles has erupted between the saffron parties.

The row was kicked off when Devang Dave, head of BJP’s social media cell, alleged on the micro-blogging site that fake profiles are being used, and tagged Sena scion Aaditya Thackeray. Mr Dave also created the hashtags #fuskisena and #noullubanawing. To this Sena retaliated with by tweeting that Mr Dave was using fake retweets and spurious handles.

Shiv Sena on Saturday started its official campaign at Chira Bazaar in South Mumbai; however, the party’s social media workers had already started anti-BJP campaign on Friday night. Ramesh Solanki, a Sena social media core committee member, tweeted, “When u select chamchas like @DevangVDave instead of deserving people this is bound to happen. Fake RTs fake tweets fake handles Sab kuch FAKE.”

Amit Bhadricha, another Sena’s IT team member, tweeted, “#BJP ‘s @DevangVDave himself using fake twitter handles for RT. #FakeBJP #BJPExposed.”

The Sena leader also tweeted, “Some more #FakeHandles used by #BJP Trying to appease citizens using #CheapPublicity @DevangVDave.”

This tweet was followed by an image of alleged fake profiles or bots such as ‘@BJPYouth2, @BJPYouth8 and @BJPYOUTH50’. Mr Dave had tweeted, “#Expose Fake handles bots used to show support? @AUThackeray @ShivSena #FuskiSena #NoUlluBanawing.”

Claiming that BJP was ahead of everyone else when it comes to using Photoshopped images to target his party, a Sena leader said, “We started tweeting and exposed the BJP because we realised it was using bots to spread its messages. It was calling us fake, while all of our profiles are genuine. We have showed its true colour online.”

Attempts to contact Mr Dave proved futile, but a BJP leader claimed the Sena off late had become very active online and it has a huge team. “While they are efficient, they are also using tricks; but this is the election season and everyone will speak ill of each other,” said the leader.