Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PHOTO: REUTERS
The #SelfiewithModi campaign was launched by Modi (who very recently wore his name on a suit) on January 24, and so far about 1,500 booths have been set up in Delhi to encourage young people to vote for the BJP in the upcoming elections.
And, not only does it not just have its own Twitter page, it has also attracted foreigners to get in on the selfie action the nation is currently obsessed with.
It must be noted that the Indian prime minister himself is not physically present in these selfies, rather the photographs are taken with a mobile application with Modi’s smiling face in the frame.
@SELFIEwithMODI at #saket pic.twitter.com/2cVprckjrr
— Andrine Mendez (@Andrine_Mendez) February 3, 2015
The booths are set up with smartphones atop tripod stands, and are connected to a TV where the selfies can be viewed.
This is not the first time the BJP and Modi are using technology to their advantage.
Before the country was immersed in elections last year, the Indian premier used a 3D hologram to address public rallies – this cost a whopping $9.73 million.
It is #DELHI & it's your love for #SELFIEwithMODI. Long queues, excitement & enthusiasm to get Selfie with PM #Modi pic.twitter.com/XV0Zsn706q
— selfiewithmodi (@SELFIEwithMODI) February 4, 2015
Prior to this, Modi had created a Guinness world record in 2012 with his 3D hologram speech being simultaneously broadcast in 53 different locations during his election campaigns.
“People have a fascination to take photos with Modiji,” and 18-year-old volunteer at the BJP headquarters said.
The 18-year-old volunteer mans a photo booth in which he photographs visitors every day, for eight hours a day. He then delivers the Selfie with Modi to them within 24 hours, via email or SMS.
In just 10 days of the launch of this campaign, the BJP has claimed that more than 70,000 selfies have been taken.
Not jst #Delhiiets but foreign citizens are spotted clicking #SELFIEwithMODI in #Delhi. It's #Selfie, it's #ModiMagic pic.twitter.com/h0Wvwlpsog
— selfiewithmodi (@SELFIEwithMODI) February 3, 2015
Further, the BJP said the concept of the booths have become so popular that they may even continue to keep them on after the elections.
However, not everyone is on board with taking a ‘Selfie with Modi’.
In fact, member of right-wing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh from Madhya Pradesh Rajesh Tripathi blaitantly stated that such tactics will not solve the problems India is facing.
“Modi should focus on doing some work,” he said.
“I took a selfie just like that, but these are just promotional techniques,” Tripathi said.
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