2024 Lok Sabha elections: Why political memes are no laughing matter

The race for creativity, the accessibility of tools, and the urgency of elections often blur the line between what is humorous and what is offensive

From the unveiling of electoral bond data to the long-anticipated arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to the surprise entries and departures in political parties, the road to the 18th Lok Sabha elections has been a whirlwind of political spins, and memes have surfaced as a potent campaigning tool. “Memes are like magic tricks in politics, particularly for the younger generation who favour visuals over text,” said Vinay Kulkarni, head of the Pune-based political digital marketing agency, Social Rajneeti. 
 

An analysis of the official Instagram accounts of three major political parties — Bharatiya Janata Party (7.5 million followers), Indian