BJP Insta Reel Uses 'Dating App' Features To Take On Opposition. See Video

The BJP on Saturday published an Instagram reel, which made jibes at Opposition leaders in the form of dating app profiles.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Saturday took potshots at top Opposition leaders such as Arvind Kejriwal, Sitaram Yechury, MK Stalin, Tejashwi Yadav, and Mamata Banerjee, superimposing their photos on frames and stitching a video copying the look and feel of a popular dating app. The video named the swiping app "Fumble", a wordplay on the name of the popular app. The BJP also used widespread allegations against these leaders to write their 'bio' on their profiles in the video. Surprisingly, the reel did not feature any Congress leader. Check out the video below.

The video showed all the Opposition leaders being 'left-swiped' while PM Narendra Modi was 'right-swiped' by "Bharat ki janta [people of Bharat]". In digital dating lingo, a 'right swipe' refers to a positive match accepted by the date.

Arvind Kejriwal

The video, which is clearly a poll gimmick ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, starts with a 'left swipe' of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. The BJP describes the Delhi CM, who was arrested by the ED Thursday evening, in his bio as an "Average AAP MP" who is "forever apologetic" and "average liquor enthusiast".

The 'bio' is a dig at his apologies in court in the past over multiple matters and the current Delhi liquor policy case, for which he is under investigation. 

Sitaram Yechury

The 'Fumble' video goes on to 'left-swipe' CPI(M) secretary-general Sitaram Yechury, whose 'bio' describes him as a "part-time MP and full-time gold smuggler". The dig was over the 2020 gold smuggling case. It also hints that the former Rajya Sabha MP was good in English but had "0 economics" knowledge. The BJP further seeks to highlight his affinity with the Chinese Communist Party, with which the CPI(M) has maintained cordial relations.

Stalin

The BJP's next target on the Instagram 'Fumble' reel is Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who has been described as a "fascist" over his namesake Joseph Stalin, who is described by many as a "Red Fascist". The BJP also makes a familial jibe at MK Stalin whose father M Karunanidhi served as Tamil Nadu's CM for five terms and whose son Udhayanidhi Stalin is a state cabinet minister. The Karunanidhi family members, such as MK Alagiri, Kanimozhi, Kalanidhi Maran, Dayanidhi Azhagari, Dayanidhi Maran, and others are well-established in the fields of politics, business, and media.

Tejashwi Yadav

The BJP then 'left-swipes' Tejashwi Yadav, saying he recently 'suffered a breakup' — a clear dig at the JD(U) switch to BJP from the I.N.D.I.A bloc and 'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar, which his RJD and the Congress were part of. It also mentions in his 'bio' "fodder for thought", a jibe at Tejashwi's father and RJD founder Lalu Prasad Yadav's involvement in multiple cases related to the infamous Bihar fodder scam.

Mamata Banerjee

Next, the BJP targets Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and describes her as an "average TMC MP" and a "polarising" individual in the "Fumble" bio. It also says she is "too close" to her neighbours, presumably Bangladeshis. The 'bio' also describes her as a "proud holder of victim card", seemingly a jibe at the TMC's ongoing demand for clearance of GST and NREGA dues.

Narendra Modi

Finally, the BJP Instagram video 'right-swipes' on the 'Fumble' video on the 'profile' of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is described as a "son of the soil" in his bio and shows his 'interest' as "nation first'. It also describes him as a dharmic person.

The video ends with a note that reads: 'Bharat ki Janta matched with Modi", and that a "beautiful destiny" is in store. At the time of writing, the Instagram reel had 548,000 views.

Here's the reel.