Congress to take on BJP IT cell; Rahul Gandhi looking to recruit 5 lakh keyboard warriors

Congress party has launched a ''Join Congress Social Media'' campaign, aiming to hire five lakh online "warriors" who will counter hate and "defend idea of India", said former party chief Rahul Gandhi on Monday. move is seen as one to counter its rival BJP's IT cell. 

Inviting youth to join Congress campaign, Gandhi said in a video mess that country needs n-violent warriors to fight for truth, compassion, and harmony. "As a young person, you kw what is going on. thing is hidden from you, in your schools, colleges, and universities, you can see oppression, you can see attack on idea of India," he said. 

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Targeting saffron party, Congress leer claimed that thousands of people - whom he referred to as "troll army" - spre hate on social media, and are paid to do so. He said country needs warriors to defend liberal values on social media. AICC in-charge (ministration) Pawan Kumar Bansal said party is looking for a strong army of five lakh social media "warriors".

"Look outside Delhi, you can see what is happening to farmers. backbone of this war on nation is a troll army. Thousands of people who spre hatred and anger and are paid to do so. We need warriors to defend liberal values, to defend ideas of compassion, peace, harmony, and affection," former Congress chief said.

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'Join army of truth'

Gandhi encourd youths to join army of 'truth' to counter army of hatred and win online battle. AICC social media he Rohan Gupta informed that people can join campaign through party website, its toll-free number, or via WhatsApp. 

Congress will take this campaign to people for a month and invite m to join. After that, a basic interview will be held in all states, and "responsibilities will be assigned" to people working at different levels -- district, state, and national -- accordingly. Gupta said that those selected after interviews will be given training. 

Party spokesperson Pawan Khera said when BJP came to power in 2014, many criticised Congress for t being on social media, and when party became active online, many said it is t active on ground, but w "we are on both".

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