<p>The BJP has taken a jibe at Rahul Gandhi for his attempt to silence critics <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/whos-been-tweeting-for-rahul-gandhi-he-finally-answers-sort-of-23104">who raise questions on his tweets</a>.</p>

<p>BJP&rsquo;s IT-cell in-charge Amit Malviya has tweeted a modified poster of Akshay Kumar&rsquo;s upcoming movie &#39;Padman&#39; which shows Gandhi with his pet dog Pidi. Gandhi had hit back at his critics by tweeting a video of Pidi,&nbsp;&quot;Ppl been asking who tweets for this guy..I&rsquo;m coming clean..it&rsquo;s me..Pidi..I&rsquo;m way ?? than him. Look what I can do with a tweet..oops..treat!&quot;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Ppl been asking who tweets for this guy..I&#39;m coming clean..it&#39;s me..Pidi..I&#39;m way ?? than him. Look what I can do with a tweet..oops..treat! <a href="https://t.co/fkQwye94a5">pic.twitter.com/fkQwye94a5</a></p>
&mdash; Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG/status/924531438661148673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Malviya&rsquo;s tweet says,&nbsp;&ldquo;Pidiman &ndash; the story of a dog who is smarter than his master&rdquo;. It further said, &ldquo;written &amp; directed by Congress&hellip;released today on Twitter&rdquo;.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="und">Pidi ???, Congress ????.. <a href="https://t.co/A677QSIvah">pic.twitter.com/A677QSIvah</a></p>
&mdash; Amit Malviya (@malviyamit) <a href="https://twitter.com/malviyamit/status/924618205959741440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had also attacked Gandhi for his tweet saying</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sir <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOfRG?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OfficeOfRG</a>,who knows him better than me.Still remember you busy feeding biscuits 2 him while We wanted to discuss urgent Assam&#39;s issues <a href="https://t.co/Eiu7VsuvL1">https://t.co/Eiu7VsuvL1</a></p>
&mdash; Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) <a href="https://twitter.com/himantabiswa/status/924556587225645056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Rahul Gandhi&#39;s Twitter handle &#39;OfficeofRG&#39; has been in news recently due to a rise in retweets as evidence of a resurgence of his interaction on social media. However, a cursory glance at the Twitter handles retweeting the Congress Vice President&#39;s tweets does throw up some questions...are these <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bots-behind-rise-in-rahul-gandhis-twitter-popularity-22692">automated &#39;bots&#39; mass retweeting Rahul Gandhi&#39;s tweets</a>?</p>

<p>On October 15th, &#39;OfficeofRG&#39; retweeted US President Donald Trump&#39;s tweet praising American-Pakistani relations with a caption &#39;Modi ji quick, looks like President Trump needs another hug&#39;. The tweet quickly reached 20,000 retweets and currently has touched 30,000.</p>

<p>A close analysis of this tweet showed that these alleged &#39;bots&#39; with a Russian, Kazakh or Indonesian characteristic was routinely RT-ing the Congress VP&#39;s tweets. Further scrutiny of these Twitter accounts showed that the follower list was usually under 10 users and retweets comprised of random topics from across the world and those of Rahul Gandhi. Moreover, the content of these twitter timelines comprised merely of retweets and a lack of tweets which could be categorised as an original thought.</p>


The BJP has taken a jibe at Rahul Gandhi for his attempt to silence critics who raise questions on his tweets.

The BJP has taken a jibe at Rahul Gandhi for his attempt to silence critics who raise questions on his tweets. BJP’s IT-cell in-charge Amit Malviya has tweeted a modified poster of Akshay Kumar’s upcoming movie 'Padman' which shows Gandhi with his pet dog Pidi. Gandhi had hit back at his critics by tweeting a video of Pidi, "Ppl been asking who tweets for this guy..I’m coming clean..it’s me..Pidi..I’m way ?? than him. Look what I can do with a tweet..oops..treat!" Ppl been asking who tweets for this guy..I'm coming clean..it's me..Pidi..I'm way ?? than him. Look what I can do with a tweet..oops..treat! pic.twitter.com/fkQwye94a5 — Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) October 29, 2017 × Malviya’s tweet says, “Pidiman – the story of a dog who is smarter than his master”. It further said, “written & directed by Congress…released today on Twitter”. Pidi ???, Congress ????.. pic.twitter.com/A677QSIvah — Amit Malviya (@malviyamit) October 29, 2017 × Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had also attacked Gandhi for his tweet saying Sir @OfficeOfRG,who knows him better than me.Still remember you busy feeding biscuits 2 him while We wanted to discuss urgent Assam's issues https://t.co/Eiu7VsuvL1 — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) October 29, 2017 × Rahul Gandhi's Twitter handle 'OfficeofRG' has been in news recently due to a rise in retweets as evidence of a resurgence of his interaction on social media. However, a cursory glance at the Twitter handles retweeting the Congress Vice President's tweets does throw up some questions...are these automated 'bots' mass retweeting Rahul Gandhi's tweets? On October 15th, 'OfficeofRG' retweeted US President Donald Trump's tweet praising American-Pakistani relations with a caption 'Modi ji quick, looks like President Trump needs another hug'. The tweet quickly reached 20,000 retweets and currently has touched 30,000. A close analysis of this tweet showed that these alleged 'bots' with a Russian, Kazakh or Indonesian characteristic was routinely RT-ing the Congress VP's tweets. Further scrutiny of these Twitter accounts showed that the follower list was usually under 10 users and retweets comprised of random topics from across the world and those of Rahul Gandhi. Moreover, the content of these twitter timelines comprised merely of retweets and a lack of tweets which could be categorised as an original thought.

'Pidi can save Congress': BJP's jibe at Rahul Gandhi

<p>Rahul Gandhi&#39;s twitter handle &#39;OfficeofRG&#39; has been the topic of various news outlets recently, citing a rise in retweets as evidence of a resurgence of Rahul Gandhi&#39;s interaction on social media. However, a cursory glance at the Twitter handles retweeting the Congress Vice President&#39;s tweets does throw up some questions...are these automated &#39;bots&#39; mass retweeting Rahul Gandhi&#39;s tweets?</p>

<p>On October 15th, &#39;OfficeofRG&#39; retweeted US President Donald Trump&#39;s tweet praising American-Pakistani relations with a caption &#39;Modi ji quick, looks like President Trump needs another hug&#39;. The tweet quickly reached 20,000 retweets and currently has touched 30,000.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/twitter-reacts-to-rahul-gandhis-artificial-intelligence-learning-19926" target="_blank">Also Read:&nbsp;How Twitter reacted to Rahul Gandhi&#39;s Artificial Intelligence learning</a></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false"><img alt="" draggable="false" src="http://s.wionews.com/photos/rg1-20171021075658.jpg" />
<div class="media-description">
<p>The tweet quickly reached 20,000 retweets and currently has touched 30,000. (ANI)</p>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="javascript:void(0)" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>A close analysis of this tweet showed that these alleged &#39;bots&#39; with a Russian, Kazakh or Indonesian characteristic was routinely RT-ing the Congress VP&#39;s tweets. Further scrutiny of these Twitter accounts showed that the follower list was usually under 10 users and retweets comprised of random topics from across the world and those of Rahul Gandhi. Moreover, the content of these twitter timelines comprised merely of retweets and a lack of tweets which could be categorised as an original thought.</p>

<p><a href="https://twitter.com/charlot34583589" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/charlot34583589</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/pkbjdasjyesc557" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/pkbjdasjyesc557</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/lawannapuchajd9" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/lawannapuchajd9</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/yrlkamcsmc1507" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/yrlkamcsmc1507</a></p>

<p><a href="https://twitter.com/madelenegonza14" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/madelenegonza14</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/cherilynzagors6" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/cherilynzagors6</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/alinevyverberg2" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/alinevyverberg2</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/berniecebenson6" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/berniecebenson6</a></p>

<p><a href="https://twitter.com/lynettacrabtre7" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/lynettacrabtre7</a><br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/bernierogers121" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/bernierogers121</a></p>

<p>Rahul Gandhi&#39;s &#39;resurgence&#39; on social media also goes hand in hand with another news report claiming that the Congress had roped in Big Data analytics firm Cambridge Analytica for a more targeted digital campaign to woo voters. Cambridge Analytica was in the news during the US Presidential election cycle last year for advising Donald Trump in precision voter targeting based on online habits of voters in different states.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-to-be-congress-chief-hints-sonia-22429" target="_blank">Also Read:&nbsp;Rahul Gandhi to be Congress chief, hints Sonia</a></p>

<p>When asked about this apparent inorganic spike Divya Spandana/ Ramya, the new Congress chief of Social Media and Digital communications wrote back, &quot;On Twitter one tweets and what happens after that is not in our control. You will have to speak to Twitter to get clarity.&quot;</p>

<p>Fake Twitter followers and &#39;bots&#39; going on Retweet frenzies is not a new phenomenon. An exhaustive report in the New York Times in 2013, mentions the burgeoning business of fake Twitter profiles and &#39;bulk sales of retweets&#39;. The newspaper quoted a reseller of retweets as saying, &quot;Business is great...had hired a couple of freelance programmers, a kid could bypass Twitter&#39;s defences.&quot;</p>


A closer look at the Twitter handles retweeting the Congress vice-president's tweets throws up certain questions

Rahul Gandhi's twitter handle 'OfficeofRG' has been the topic of various news outlets recently, citing a rise in retweets as evidence of a resurgence of Rahul Gandhi's interaction on social media. However, a cursory glance at the Twitter handles retweeting the Congress Vice President's tweets does throw up some questions...are these automated 'bots' mass retweeting Rahul Gandhi's tweets? On October 15th, 'OfficeofRG' retweeted US President Donald Trump's tweet praising American-Pakistani relations with a caption 'Modi ji quick, looks like President Trump needs another hug'. The tweet quickly reached 20,000 retweets and currently has touched 30,000. Also Read: How Twitter reacted to Rahul Gandhi's Artificial Intelligence learning The tweet quickly reached 20,000 retweets and currently has touched 30,000. (ANI) × A close analysis of this tweet showed that these alleged 'bots' with a Russian, Kazakh or Indonesian characteristic was routinely RT-ing the Congress VP's tweets. Further scrutiny of these Twitter accounts showed that the follower list was usually under 10 users and retweets comprised of random topics from across the world and those of Rahul Gandhi. Moreover, the content of these twitter timelines comprised merely of retweets and a lack of tweets which could be categorised as an original thought. https://twitter.com/charlot34583589 https://twitter.com/pkbjdasjyesc557 https://twitter.com/lawannapuchajd9 https://twitter.com/yrlkamcsmc1507 https://twitter.com/madelenegonza14 https://twitter.com/cherilynzagors6 https://twitter.com/alinevyverberg2 https://twitter.com/berniecebenson6 https://twitter.com/lynettacrabtre7 https://twitter.com/bernierogers121 Rahul Gandhi's 'resurgence' on social media also goes hand in hand with another news report claiming that the Congress had roped in Big Data analytics firm Cambridge Analytica for a more targeted digital campaign to woo voters. Cambridge Analytica was in the news during the US Presidential election cycle last year for advising Donald Trump in precision voter targeting based on online habits of voters in different states. Also Read: Rahul Gandhi to be Congress chief, hints Sonia When asked about this apparent inorganic spike Divya Spandana/ Ramya, the new Congress chief of Social Media and Digital communications wrote back, "On Twitter one tweets and what happens after that is not in our control. You will have to speak to Twitter to get clarity." Fake Twitter followers and 'bots' going on Retweet frenzies is not a new phenomenon. An exhaustive report in the New York Times in 2013, mentions the burgeoning business of fake Twitter profiles and 'bulk sales of retweets'. The newspaper quoted a reseller of retweets as saying, "Business is great...had hired a couple of freelance programmers, a kid could bypass Twitter's defences."

Bots behind rise in Rahul Gandhi's Twitter popularity?

<p>Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor posted a series of tempered tweets <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-in-us-makes-no-holds-barred-attack-on-pm-modi-20102">reacting to Rahul Gandhi&#39;s speech in the US</a> where the Congress vice-president&nbsp;made a reference to Bollywood while elaborating on dynasty politics.</p>

<p>Gandhi cited the example of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/smriti-irani-responds-to-rahul-gandhi-calls-him-failed-dynast-20114">Amitabh Bachchan and his son, Abhishek Bachchan </a>while explaining &quot;dynasty legacy&quot; saying that &ldquo;Dynastic politics is a problem in all political parties. Most of the country runs like this. That&rsquo;s how India works. Akhilesh (Yadav), (MK) Stalin and even (actor) Abhishek Bachchan are dynasts. Even (Prem Kumar) Dhumal&rsquo;s son (Anurag Thakur) is a dynast, so don&rsquo;t go just after me.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Rahul was at the University of California, Berkeley to deliver the speech.</p>

<p>While Rahul&nbsp;said nothing in particular about the Kapoor family, the actor seems to have taken direct offense over the comment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Kapoor tweeted, &quot;Rahul Gandhi. In the 106 years of Indian cinema of India, Kapoor&#39;s contribution is 90 years. And each generation is chosen by the public on merit&quot;, &quot;By God&#39;s grace we are in 4 generations. Prithviraj Kapoor. Raj Kapoor. Randhir Kapoor. Ranbir Kapoor - Males. Besides all others. You see otherwise&quot;,&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rahul Gandhi.In the 106 years of Indian cinema of India, Kapoor&#39;s contribution is 90 years. And each generation is chosen by public on merit</p>
&mdash; Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) <a href="https://twitter.com/chintskap/status/907640749511946241">September 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>In another tweet, he wrote: &quot;So don&#39;t bull**it people on &#39;dynasty&#39;. You have to earn people&#39;s respect and love through hard work, not zabardasti and gundagardi.&quot;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">So don&#39;t bullshit people on &quot;Dynasty&quot; You have to earn people&#39;s respect and love through hard work not zabardasti and gundagardi.</p>
&mdash; Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) <a href="https://twitter.com/chintskap/status/907645496335900672">September 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<p>Rishi Kapoor is known for being forthright and expressive on Twitter and this is not the first instance where Kapoor has critcised Congress or its leaders.&nbsp;<br />
Earlier, he used the social media platform to express his disapproval towards roads and buildings named after the Gandhi family by the Congress.</p>


While Gandhi said nothing in particular about the Kapoor family, the actor seems to have taken direct offense over the comment

Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor posted a series of tempered tweets reacting to Rahul Gandhi's speech in the US where the Congress vice-president made a reference to Bollywood while elaborating on dynasty politics. Gandhi cited the example of Amitabh Bachchan and his son, Abhishek Bachchan while explaining "dynasty legacy" saying that “Dynastic politics is a problem in all political parties. Most of the country runs like this. That’s how India works. Akhilesh (Yadav), (MK) Stalin and even (actor) Abhishek Bachchan are dynasts. Even (Prem Kumar) Dhumal’s son (Anurag Thakur) is a dynast, so don’t go just after me.” Rahul was at the University of California, Berkeley to deliver the speech. While Rahul said nothing in particular about the Kapoor family, the actor seems to have taken direct offense over the comment. Kapoor tweeted, "Rahul Gandhi. In the 106 years of Indian cinema of India, Kapoor's contribution is 90 years. And each generation is chosen by the public on merit", "By God's grace we are in 4 generations. Prithviraj Kapoor. Raj Kapoor. Randhir Kapoor. Ranbir Kapoor - Males. Besides all others. You see otherwise", Rahul Gandhi.In the 106 years of Indian cinema of India, Kapoor's contribution is 90 years. And each generation is chosen by public on merit — Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) September 12, 2017 × In another tweet, he wrote: "So don't bull**it people on 'dynasty'. You have to earn people's respect and love through hard work, not zabardasti and gundagardi." So don't bullshit people on "Dynasty" You have to earn people's respect and love through hard work not zabardasti and gundagardi. — Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) September 12, 2017 × Rishi Kapoor is known for being forthright and expressive on Twitter and this is not the first instance where Kapoor has critcised Congress or its leaders. Earlier, he used the social media platform to express his disapproval towards roads and buildings named after the Gandhi family by the Congress.

Dynasty row: Actor Rishi Kapoor slams Rahul Gandhi on Twitter