While many see a facemask as an impediment to their expressions during conversations, especially for smiles that are part and parcel of vote canvassing, the mask is now a tool for conveying political messages. Since the recent local body elections, the first voting since the outbreak of COVID-19, masks printed with photographs of candidates and party symbols have been in high demand.
At Screen Point, popularly known as ‘Kodi Kada’, there is a shop on the capital’s SS Kovil Road, which sells flags, banners, T-shirts and other political wares, including masks ordered by candidates from other districts. is delivered. .
In great demand
“These printed masks are in great demand, especially for activists who are involved in door-to-door campaigns or coming up with a special candidate in rallies,” says Ryan, whose father S. Suleman has spent more than two decades. First started election time.
According to the shop staff, business during the assembly or Lok Sabha elections never matches during local body elections, where the number of candidates is very large. Most of those candidates come here in person and buy flags and other materials. During assembly elections, local-level committees of each party purchase materials according to the money available to them.
However, in this active election campaign, veteran communist leader VS. It is the first election without Achuthanandan, but a white T-shirt with his picture printed on it gets a prominent display in the shop, along with images of Chief Minister Pinarayan Vijayan, Congress flags and key-chain leaders Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Among the party workers, LED Lighted Party Symbol and Symbol are also more in demand for those who want to add color to their election campaign.
Green protocol
Unlike the situation a few years ago, plastic is not seen anywhere in the shop and all flags, posters and other campaign materials are made using cloth according to the green protocol. The price of the cheapest flag is 15, which is up to 150 rupees. During the conversation, a party worker walks in, specifically asking to place a flag on the bonnet of the vehicle.
“We get clothes in bulk from Surat in Gujarat. Some stitching work is done in Tamil Nadu. The staff at the shop says that it is not economical for us to buy expensive equipment for printing only for elections.
Apart from elections, the demand for goods mainly comes during off-season political rallies or political events at the local level. At other times, the shop turns into one to create printing and identification tags, badges, and such materials.
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