SMS, E-MAILS PRIME CAMPAIGN TOOLS

GUWAHATI, Nov 20 -- Though the Supreme Court has banned the excess use of money in the college polls by categorically restricting printing of placards and other campaigning materials in printed form, students of prestigious Cotton College, have, however, found a innovative way to add teeth to their vote campaign for the ensuing Cotton College Union Society polls scheduled for November 22. Emerging out of the shadow of television reality shows, SMS and e-mails have now donned the role of a prime tool of campaigning for all the candidates in fray for various posts of the CCUS."As only couple of days are left for the union poll, we have started sending SMS and e-mails to almost every one. In the next 24- hour, e-mails will be sent on a much larger scale. We have a large database of students and are collecting more information," says Pragyan Bhuyan, one of the prime candidates for the post of CCUS general secretary. "My friends have started sending e-mails and SMS since monetary constraints has been imposed on the candidates this year by the apex court. But, as not every one in the college have the access to Internet facilities, we would also go for a man-to-man approach," he asserted, while adding, " My supporters have been consistently sending SMS urging to our hostel and class mates urging them to forward it further."It may be mentioned here that the Supreme Court's Lyngdoh committee, in order to keep off the influence of money, muscle power and political influence from college polls, have restricted the campaigning expenditure to Rs 5,000. "'I have been involved in different kind of welfare work for the students of our College. I have not just emerged during the time of elections," claims Pragyan.Another candidate Bhaskar Jyoti Bhuyan, who is vying for the post of CCUS vice president, when asked, said, " I have myself sent around 5,00 SMSs to my friends. Besides, I have also sent e-mails to a host of friends, especially girls, who are inclined towards surfing Internet more than guys." Meanwhile, election fever has reached its zenith and supporters of different candidates in fray are organising small but noisy rallies.

Published by HT Syndication with permission from the Assam Tribune.

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