In recent years, use of social media and digital mobilisation by civil society has emerged as a powerful form of pressure politics. Examine its impact on policymaking and democratic accountability.

Promise politics and to achieve a common goal via lobbying propaganda etc. Social media has been actively being used for this purpose. Mobilisation of said media - Opinion formation - Hashtag #JNU against farm laws - Dedicated campaigns against electoral bonds via ADR - Impact on policymaking - Positive impacts - Participative policymaking - involve NGOs through social media - accountability via digital social audit, impact assessment - delay reforms for vested interest - lobbying by foreign powers - NGOs 3rd part of war - Impact on democratic accountability - Unearth mis-appropriation of funds - Consensus oriented policymaking - efficient utilization of resources. Negative - Resource groups have illegitimate power - Unelected - against sovereignty and development objectives - Kudumbai Kulam plant

Pressure groups must be strengthened but with soft touch regulations.