Poll time spells boom time for campaign tools

Almost all political parties in the fray have placed their orders much before the announcement of the election dates to hit the campaign trail faster than others. Campaign materials like vinyl box posters, flex, paper posters, cut-outs, banners, flags, handbills, kites, caps, pens and umbrellas printed with party symbols are the top draws among the parties. 

The traders are finding it difficult to cope with the flow of orders, which, they say, are still pouring in. Most of the manpower comes from Jangalmahal, Birbhum and Bankura and since these areas go to poll early this time and their priority is to service the local candidates, their availability is a problem, he says. 

The traders dealing in garments are also busy in the poll season delivering orders of T-shirts, caps, vests and even saris. The umbrellas with logos of political parties are priced at Rs 150 to Rs 200, while saris nicknamed ‘Congress sari’ and  the ‘Trinamool sari’ containing the twin flowers logo fetch anything between Rs 200 and Rs 250.