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Karnataka Govt plans media blitzkrieg to highlight achievements

Siddaramaiah conceded that the ruling party seemed to have failed in marketing its performance.

BENGALURU: As part of the ruling party's image make over process, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday hinted that his government would soon launch a media blitzkrieg to highlight the achievements of all ministries.

Speaking at an interaction with media persons from across the state, Mr Siddaramaiah conceded that the ruling party seemed to have failed in marketing its performance but henceforth his government would give more thrust on highlighting them.

“You see, I have retained information department (state government's publicity wing) intentionally, and today's interaction with you is the first step towards it. I will ensure the right kind of publicity in the months to come,” he added.

In the light of Mr Siddaramaiah’s announcement, his party men speculate that the Chief Minister could take a leaf out of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and Delhi Chief Minister Aravind Kejriwal's publicity drive to bolster his image.

A senior leader based in New Delhi disclosed to this newspaper that Mr Siddaramaiah was briefed about how he must go about his image make over exercise in the next two years as part of a larger strategy laid out by party general secretary, Digvijay Singh.

"Mr Singh is a vocal supporter of corporate style media blitzkrieg ever since the humiliating defeat in 2014 Lok Sabha polls. He feels that Mr Kejriwal's model of media blitzkrieg suits better but he is not averse to follow Mr Modi's model either. As part of this strategy, Mr Singh reportedly advised Mr Siddaramaiah to retain the information portfolio during the recent cabinet reshuffle," the leader added.

Besides, Mr Singh reportedly advised Mr Siddaramaiah to earmark substantial amount for the media campaign. “According to our sources, AAP reportedly earmarked over Rs 500 crores to monitor Mr Kejriwal's campaign although deputy chief minister, Manish Sisodia, has denied it. The Congress wants to adopt and experiment with Mr Modi’s model of media campaign in Karnataka," the leader explained adding that the state government could let go of its purse strings as Mr Siddaramaiah was given a free hand in this regard.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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