Chandigarh: With the upcoming Assembly elections approaching, political leaders in Punjab and across India are increasingly looking to connect directly with young voters, particularly those from Generation Z.
Political observers say the growing focus on younger voters has prompted leaders to experiment with newer ways of communicating, moving beyond traditional political meetings and public rallies to engage with young people on platforms and in settings they are familiar with.
The trend is visible at both the national and state levels. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has increasingly used social media and short-form videos to connect with younger audiences, while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been holding interactions and open discussions with students and young people in different parts of the country.
Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) president Sukhbir Singh Badal recently joined a youth interaction at Guru Nanak College in Moga under the banner “Vibe Punjab Di”. His appearance also drew attention, as he opted for a shirt and trousers instead of his usual kurta-pyjama while interacting with students.
Badal was introduced on stage with the title “Punjab da Dhurandhar” to the popular song “Dhurandhar”. During the interaction, he answered questions from students about his personal interests and social media habits.
Badal said he spends around three to four hours a day on YouTube and Instagram, adding that his social media use sometimes leads to disagreements at home.
He also spoke about his interest in farming and keeping animals. Badal said he has around 60 to 70 varieties of chickens as well as some of the world’s smallest horses.
The growing focus on Gen-Z voters highlights the changing communication strategies being adopted by political leaders ahead of the next round of elections.
