Size doesn't matter: Smaller entities cast larger social media shadow on India’s political discourse

Social media cells of main political parties in India have monopolised the space on social media but the trend is changing fast. New online groups have emerged which are significantly influencing the online political discourse in the country.

Social media posts, trending topic and hashtags have become a marker for changing public sentiment, often influencing the political discourse. In India, the social media cells or the IT cells of established political parties have had a monopoly over the online political campaigns for some time, but that trend is changing fast. Trend alertHashtags :#BoycottIsraelTime: Tonight at 9:30 PM pic.twitter.com/0FkJ1LqYWV New online groups are now significantly influencing the online political discourse in the country. Members of these groups work in coordination and specialise in creating politically sensitive, viral campaigns, analysis by India Today Open-Source Investigation (OSINT) team has revealed. Campaigns floated by such groups, often become trending topic of the day, even driving the mainstream political parties and influencers to join.