Elections in neighbouring Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand are round the corner but candidates and supporters are getting the paraphernalia home-delivered now
The days ahead of polls are generally the busiest time for shops selling election paraphernalia in Old Delhi’s popular wholesale market, Sadar Bazaar. On Sunday, however, the area wore a deserted look even as elections in the neighbouring states of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Uttarakhand are just round the corner. In fact, most wholesalers said they have not received even a single order yet.
“I have been in this business for the last 25 years but never saw this kind of drop in demand for election goodies,” said wholesaler Harpreet Singh. “We have received some orders from Punjab but not even a single order from UP,” he added.
Blaming internal forces in these two poll-bound states, Singh further said: “There is a new trend among dealers in UP, especially in west, and in some areas of Punjab, to supply election goodies directly at the doorsteps of candidates and supporters. Who will come all the way to buy election paraphernalia from traditional shops in Sadar Bazaar when they are getting it at their home at the same price?”
From party flags to banners, badges and stationery items to party symbols, and fancy head scarves and caps, everything is available at these shops here. “Every thing is ready and we are just waiting for customers. But the demand is not even 10 per cent compared to the last elections,” said Gulshan Khurana, another wholesaler.
On the other hand, some wholesalers claimed that they are doing good business only by selling Aam Admi Party’s (AAP) election items in Punjab. “The demand for AAP flags and mufflers is exceptionally high in poll-bound Punjab. The Congress goodies are the second most popular there,” said Umesh Arora, owner of Muskan Enterprises.
“We had started making election publicity material from October itself. The first stock of AAP items was quickly sold off to Punjab by November end,” Arora said, adding that they have received BJP items’ orders from only UP as of now.
On being queried why there were no Samajwadi Party (SP) items in his shop, Arora, who has been in the business for the last 20 years, said: “SP is a UP party. They have their own dealers there. They never buy anything from us. In fact, there is no demand for the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) banners and flags as well. Our entire BSP stock is lying intact.”
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Election paraphernalia")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}