Mumbai: Shiv Sena is harnessing new technologies to reach out to voters, specially the tech-savvy Generation Next.
The over four-decade old saffron outfit, founded by Bal Thackeray, is reaching voters through telephony, Internet, mobile SMS and also plans a full-fledged studio to help meet needs of the electronic media.
The Sena has started a toll-free number 1800222772 on which people can register their grievances to the party over phone. Their complaints would be recorded and addressed by the party leaders.
"The concept of the toll-free line is a brainchild of Sena Executive President Uddhav Thackeray. The complaints or suggestions would be documented by the party and Uddhavji would instruct party workers on major issues," Sena sources said.
The idea is to increase the efficiency of the party and render timely help to people, the sources said.
"We are already inundated with calls on the toll-free number and people across the state have started calling on issues like water, farmers' suicides and load-shedding," the sources said.
The party's website 'www.shivsena.org' is also being revamped and would contain a lot of material about the party's activities, rallies, Uddhav's speeches, photos and documentaries on the senior Thackeray.
Mobile users can send SMS to the party at 56070. The website will also have a special section for media, where daily bulletins would be made available. That is not all. Sena Bhawan, the party's headquarters at Dadar in central Mumbai would be soon having a studio.
"The idea of studio is basically for the media people to interact with Uddhavji. It would be easier for them to take video clippings. The party would also use the studio for recording his messages for uploading on the website," the sources added.