Lok Sabha polls 2019: Facing competition from social media, less takers for campaigning materials

ALLAHABAD: In the time of online publicity through social media platforms, the traditional way of campaigning using flags, caps, laser pens, batches, etc is losing its sheen. There has been a fall of over 30% in terms of the demand of these items in the market in the changed scenario.

“Netas’ and their followers are less interested in buying expensive flex or large flags and other campaigning materials and there is limited demand for smaller items like caps, wrist band etc”, said Mohammad Quadir, one of the wholesalers of Sangam city.

Moreover, since there are few takers for items imported from China in these elections, the wholesalers of the city, who cater to the cities like Varanasi, Rewa, Satna, Jabalpur, Katni, Mirzapur, Azamgarh and parts of Bihar, have not placed orders for the same.

“In the last elections, laser pends and colour changing batches were an instant hit and there was a huge demand for these items, however, this year, we have only wrist band for the party supporters and that too in limited stock”, said Quadir.

Adding to the woes of the wholesalers, the hike in prices of these materials, as compared to previous two elections i.e general elections of 2014 and the assembly elections of 2017, have played the spoilsport.

“Earlier, we used to give 5% VAT (value added tax) but now we have to pay 18% GST (goods and services tax) because of which prices of all the items have increased, barring the cap, which is available either on the same rate oo a bit lesser rate because of the inferior raw item”, he added.

The shortage of labour in Surat and Delhi is another factor which has caused increase in the rates of these materials. The rate of stickers have increased from Rs 1.5 to 2, banners from Rs 5 to Rs 6 or 6.50, whereas the caps are available for Rs 150 (packet of 100 pieces), wrist band for Rs 48 to Rs 27 a dozen, etc.

“When we have the option for social platform, why would anyone care for traditional methods which are more visible for those who are keeping a close vigil on poll expenditure”, said one of the supporters of a candidate in fray from Phulpur. The social portal has more reach and is deceptive in terms of estimating the expenditure, he added.