Even as campaigning for the final phase of the Assembly elections 2017 ends today, what will linger on in our minds is the image of a politician – young or old – donning a crisp white kurta, waving to thousands of people from atop a swanky vehicle. We have lately seen such spectacles very often – from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rallies and roadshows across the five states that went to polls, to relatively young leaders Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi seeking votes for their alliance in Uttar Pradesh.
Be it an election to the Lok Sabha or one in a politically charged state like UP, such a sight can never be read in isolation. Apart from helping a certain politician or party take its message to the masses, it also puts up a show of strength to subtly impress upon the electorate that they should vote for the politician or party to stay on the side of a large majority.
Amid all this, one often wonders what goes into putting up such grand shows – the means and equipment involved, the expenses incurred, the technology employed, the vehicles used, and so on.
The vehicles pressed into service for these campaigns are no ordinary four-wheelers. They play a very important role. While some have roof-top, some even have elevators fitted in them to make it easy for a leader to address his supporters whenever the situation is conducive.
To understand what goes into making of such vehicles and the many high-tech customisations they come with, Business Standard visited the facility of BRM Caravans, a leading player supplying election vehicles to most major political parties, in Manesar near Gurgaon. In business since 1986, the company claims to have known and serviced the who's who of the country.
From Samajwadi Party patron Mulayam Singh Yadav’s rath to buses used by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress leaders, BRM has supplied customised vehicles to politicians across the political spectrum this election season. “By blending technology with passion,” BRM Caravans Managing Partner and founder Vivek Babbar says, “we make the vehicle a second home to the leader using it – with everything he might need at his disposal”.
“Every party comes with certain demands and we try to fulfil it. This year, we have put LCD screens at the back of the vehicle for the parties to display their achievements, schemes, plans, etc,” Babbar says. This time, the vehicles also have foldable canopies so that the politician can halt anywhere and address people.
These vehicles are priced in the range of Rs 25 lakh to Rs 40 lakh and normally take two-and-a-half to three months to prepare. “But, if required, we deliver early. We had once prepared an election vehicle for late P A Sangma in just 13 days,” Babbar adds. “Much before electioneering begins, we start working on vehicles to put together basic equipment and amenities, so that we can deliver at short notice if a party or politician so desires.”
When a caravan is customised, mostly on a 26-seater tempo, it is done from scratch. The whole interior is first dismantled and then replaced with wooden flooring, comfortable sofa-cum-recliners, folding tables, cabinets and small cupboards, carpets, charging points, washroom – and everything else that a leader might need during his roadshows and rallies.
Additionally, there are two TV screens, a microwave oven, and a refrigerator. To fire, these appliances use power from the engine, an electricity supply or a genset. There also is ample space to keep files and other luggage, besides adequate lighting and split air-conditioners inside the caravan.
In order to give the leader some privacy during his campaign, the driver’s cabinet is completely separate from the passenger compartment.
Asked about his best-prepared and most sought-after vehicle, Babbar says: “It was former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s.”
The company does not offer caravans for hire. These vehicles are bought by BRM, customised to the needs to the leader who is to use it, and then sold to the leader or party concerned.