Donald Trump Impact? Why Leaders Like Modi & Kejriwal Are Embracing Podcasters

In the 2025 Delhi Assembly election, Arvind Kejriwal has embraced a modern approach to communication by leveraging YouTubers and podcast interviews. This strategy is not just innovative but also highly effective in reaching a diverse audience. By engaging with popular digital influencers, Kejriwal is tapping into a vast and varied demographic that consumes content primarily through online platforms. Arvind Kejriwal has given two podcast YouTube interviews so far—one with Prakhar Gupta and another with Raj Shamani. Additionally, Kejriwal, along with CM Atishi, former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, cabinet minister Saurabh Bhardwaj, and former Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain, participated in a YouTube round table with senior journalist Sanjay Sharma for his channel, 4PM News Network.This move mirrors the successful tactics employed by Donald Trump during his political campaigns, where he utilized platforms like the Joe Rogan Experience and the Lex Fridman Podcast to connect with younger voters and present his views in a more relaxed setting. Significantly, PM Narendra Modi also participated in a podcast by Nikhil Kamath recently, which is his debut in podcast. This establishes that Podcasts are the new way of political communication.Both Kejriwal's and Modi's digital strategy is multifaceted. Firstly, it allows them to directly engage with the youth, a significant portion of Delhi's electorate. By appearing on popular YouTube channels and podcasts, both can reach a wider audience, making them more relatable to the younger generation. This approach not only helps in disseminating his message more informally and engagingly but also builds a personal connection with the audience.Secondly, by using YouTubers and podcasts, Kejriwal and PM Modi can bypass traditional media constraints and communicate his message without the risk of misinterpretation or editorial bias. This direct-to-audience approach ensures that his message remains unfiltered and authentic, resonating more effectively with the public.Moreover, collaborating with popular YouTubers and podcasters allows Kejriwal and Modi to leverage their credibility and reach. These influencers have built a loyal following, and their endorsement can significantly impact public perception. By appearing on these platforms, Kejriwal can tap into their audience base and gain their trust.Prime Minister Narendra Modi's debut on Nikhil Kamath's podcast marks a significant shift in political communication. In this candid conversation, Modi opened up about his journey, reflecting on his tenure as India's leader and sharing personal anecdotes that humanize his public persona.The podcast, titled "People By WTF," provided a platform for Modi to discuss a range of topics, from his early life and political career to India's technological advancements and the parallels between politics and entrepreneurship. Modi's admission of making mistakes and his assertion that he is "human, not a God" appeared to resonate with listeners, offering a rare glimpse into the vulnerabilities of a leader often perceived as infallible.This move to engage with the public through a podcast is a strategic one, aiming to reach a younger, tech-savvy audience. By participating in a format that allows for in-depth discussion, Modi can convey his message more effectively than through traditional media channels. The podcast also underscores the importance of adaptability in political communication, as leaders must evolve with changing times and technologies.Existential Crisis: New Laws for Digital Influencers Under Draft Broadcast Bill?There are 2.08 lakh first-time voters aged between 18-19 in Delhi, and 52,554 of these were added to the electoral roll after the draft electoral roll was published on October 10, 2024. As per the Election Commission, out of Delhi’s 70 constituencies, 58 are general and 12 are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs), spread across 11 districts1. There are 83.49 lakh male voters, 71.74 lakh female voters, and 25.89 lakh young voters, culminating in a total of 1.55 crore voters.Kejriwal's and Modi's use of YouTubers and podcasts allows him to directly engage with the younger demographic, which forms a significant portion of Delhi's electorate. By appearing on popular YouTube channels and podcasts, both can reach a wider audience that consumes content primarily through digital platforms.Kejriwal's strategy is particularly effective given the significant number of young voters in Delhi. The youth are not only tech-savvy but also highly influential in shaping public opinion. By leveraging digital platforms, Kejriwal can tap into this demographic's potential and ensure that his message resonates with them. This direct engagement is crucial in a city like Delhi, where the youth play a pivotal role in the electoral process. Moreover, Kejriwal's focus on education, healthcare, and public services aligns with the priorities of young voters. His government has implemented several initiatives aimed at improving the quality of education and healthcare in Delhi, which have been well-received by the youth. By highlighting these achievements through digital platforms, Kejriwal can reinforce his commitment to addressing the issues that matter most to young voters.Traditional media often comes with its own set of biases and limitations. After the Delhi liquor policy scam and other controversies, there is a belief within the AAP that traditional media will only try to focus on those issues. It is important to remember that from the time of COVID-19 until Kejriwal was out on bail by the Supreme Court, he avoided press conferences and chose recorded video appeals to communicate with the public. However, now he is taking questions from journalists, but not extensively. It is well known that when it comes to media freedom, AAP is not very open in its communication with journalists and news organizations that write negative news. There have been several incidents where the AAP as a party and government have come down heavily against media houses and allegedly stopped their government advertisements. Now, with the Sheesh Mahal controversy, Kejriwal is more conscious of facing traditional media journalists.By using YouTubers and podcasts, Kejriwal can bypass these constraints and communicate his message without the risk of misinterpretation or editorial bias. This direct-to-audience approach ensures that his message remains unfiltered and authentic. In US election Trump, too, recognized the value of alternative media and frequently appeared on podcasts like All-In and Impulsive to avoid the constraints of mainstream media.Kejriwal's strategy of engaging with digital influencers allows him to reach a broader audience, particularly the youth, who consume content primarily through online platforms. This approach not only helps in disseminating his message more informally and engagingly but also builds a personal connection with the audience.By leveraging the credibility and reach of popular YouTubers and podcasters, Kejriwal can tap into their loyal following and gain their trust. This strategy positions him as a modern, relatable, and accessible leader in the digital age.Prime Minister Modi, on the other hand, avoids traditional press conferences and instead opts for pre-recorded media interviews where questions are predetermined. In such controlled setups, podcasts also serve as an effective platform for similarly curated conversations.Podcasts and YouTube interviews provide a platform for in-depth conversations, allowing Arvind Kejriwal and PM Modi to share his personal experiences, vision, and policies in a more detailed manner. This format helps in building a personal connection with the audience, as they get to see a more human side of the politician. Trump's appearances on long-form podcasts allowed him to discuss a wide range of topics, from his personal life to his political strategies, thereby creating a sense of intimacy with his audience. In his debut podcast, Prime Minister Modi aimed to present a candid persona, with the conversation emphasizing his humane and personal side.These platforms not only present a personal connection with the audience but also serve as a great tool for personal brand building. The questions are often softer in nature and more personalized than critical. At the same time, YouTubers and influencers are cautious about their own credibility and integrity, understanding that they are not hard-core journalists, which is why they do not venture into asking tougher questions.This gives Kejriwal an opportunity to focus more on his image as a common man, which has been under scrutiny with the Sheesh Mahal controversy, where he allegedly renovated his government residence with Rs 33 crore, much higher than the estimated price. By engaging in these platforms, Kejriwal can address such controversies in a more controlled environment, ensuring that his message remains candid.(The author, a columnist and research scholar, teaches journalism at St. Xavier's College (autonomous), Kolkata. He tweets at @sayantan_gh. This is an opinion piece and the views expressed above are the author’s own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for the same.)AAP, BJP Share Edited Visuals & Deepfake Videos Ahead of 2025 Delhi Elections

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Trump Impact? Why Leaders Like Modi & Kejriwal Are Embracing Podcasters

PM Modi and Arvind Kejriwal recently gave interviews to podcasters. What's the strategy behind it?

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Topics: Narendra Modi Arvind Kejriwal donald trump