Monday, April 13, 2009
CAMPAIGN GOES HIGHTECH
If General Elections are round the corner it is a festive season for the makers and suppliers of Election Material. But this time it is entirely different atmosphere. Influenced by US peers, as Indian politicians take to technology to campaign for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, which begin on April 16, the sale of election material such as badges, banners and posters are at very low pace. The use of Information and Communications Technologies is affecting our business, complained the suppliers and makers. "Parties and candidates are doing hi-tech campaigning. They are investing more in mobile SMS and advertisements on television." Anilbhai Rakhiwala, a seller of election material in Sadar Bazaar, New Delhi, explained. Even at 15 per cent lower prices items such as flags, banner, posters and badges are are not going, he complained. Many traders are complaining the their business is not gearing up like the last general elections. Things which were last time sold at Rs 100 are now selling at Rs 85 but even then business is not picking up. Political caps are being sold for anything between Rs 3 and Rs 15, banners for Rs 5-35 and plastic and paper badges ranging from 10 paise to Rs 2. Depending up on the variety mufflers are available for Rs 3-8 and stickers between Rs 2 and Rs 20. Pen bearing party symbol is being sold at Rs 2 a piece.
BJP RIDING HIGH ON NANO
Main Opposition party and the lead partner of NDA, Bharatiya Janatha party is riding high on Nano. It has captured the world's cheapest car project when the West Bengal created hurdles in the path of Tatas. BJP government under the able guidance of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi attracted the project towards Gujarat. The saffron party has designed accessories including a pen-holder that resembles Tatas Nano car and plans to using them widely in electioneering. The miniature replica of Nano embossed with the BJP's lotus symbol is already popular in Gujarat and some of our candidates are planning to use it in other parts of the country as well. In addition to the small car look-alike, the party has been distributing cotton T-shirts with words "Vote for Advani" imprinted on them and silk saree in green and orange colour with lotus symbol. Since graffiti is banned and there are restrictions on loud speakers and on the use of number of vehicles by political parties, a bevy of other novelties including caps, band-aid, bindis, ear-ring, key-ring, steel chain with lotus symbol are being added to the party's campaigning kit.
The party is also targeting the 5 crore netizens through their extensive online campaign. These netizens are spread across 54 Lok Sabha constituencies in the country and the party is getting a regular feedback from them through their online interactive programmes, the campaigner told. There are also 35 crore mobile users in the country. The party is also planning to attract them with catchy slogans through SMS. "The use of radio FM for campaigning has proved to be a very cost effective method for us. We have been able to cover as many as 288 constituencies across the country through this medium," a campaigner said.
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