Who's the biggest joke of them all? Political memes and the tussle for Maharashtra

The News Minute | October 13, 2014 | 11.19 pm ISTIt is perhaps, history come full circle, that political memes are very much a part of the first elections fought in Maharashtra without Bal Thackeray. The man who altered the political scenario in Maharashtra by founding the Shiv Sena was a political cartoonist before he became a politician.According to a report in Hindustan Times, memes about the Shiv Sena, BJP are doing the rounds and are being widely circulated.The report says: “For instance, one meme shows Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray outmuscle Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah inside a free-style wrestling ring. Another shows Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding a placard seeking votes from a party other than the BJP.”The cover of Marmik, which Thackeray used to edit (Image Courtesy: Mid-Day)But will this have any effect on voters, is the real question. With four political parties eyeing the chief minister’s chair, the parties have possibly never been more competitive. Instead of fighting one opponent, the major political parties – Congress, BJP, NCP, Shiv Sena, MNS – are now fighting four (openly at least).For a psychological analysis and political perspective on the impact of political memes see Hindustan Times report.