CHIANGING WITH THE TIMES

The party that once trashed computers as ‘antipeople’ is now employing cyberspace to say its piece ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections. On March 1, the Samajwadi Party’s Australia-educated Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav unveiled his newest poll ploy—a full-colour, 18x18 cm e-book complete with moving imagery and an engaging soundtrack. Akhilesh’s venture, aimed at net-savvy voters, hopefully including the 15 lakh students he has equipped with brand new HP laptops, has a lilting melody— Man se mulayam aur iraade loha hain…— that accompanies a medley of images depicting the achievements of his government. But will it work?