BJP spreading half-truths, canard via social media: Cong

Accusing BJP of using "paid professionals to spread half-truths and canard" on social media, Congress today organised a first-of-its-kind workshop to train spokespersons on Twitter, Facebook and other interactive sites to put its point across.

Young party MP Deepinder Hooda, who is likely to head a cell on digital media in AICC, charged BJP and its leader Narendra Modi with using paid professionals to spread half-truths and canard.

"Ours would be a volunteer-led approach," he said.

"Their (BJP) case is fit for those who want to use social media to spread half truths and canard... But social media can be used to spread truth. It is imperative for a political party to communicate its ideology and voice efficiently and strongly. This medium is very important in this age," he said.

Congress MP Priya Dutt said the party would open a communication centre in all states and it would have three wings of social media, research and spokespersons.

On the absence of top party leaders like Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice-President Rahul Gandhi on Twitter and Facebook despite party's increasing thrust on social media, Dutt said it is their vision and ideas which is guiding them.

"It is not necessary to personally tweet. It is their views and vision which will be part of our work," she said.

Dutt said Congress wants to bring all PCCs under one umbrella so that they could speak in one voice.

Their will be inflow and outflow of information from Delhi to all states, she said.

Dutt said there should be self-regulation and there was no need to gag leaders to avoid controversy.

Similar workshops would be held in other states, she said.

Apart from PCC representatives, many volunteers who have contributed their views to defend and promote Congress on social media are also participating in the workshop.