Candidates of various political parties have pressed into service a wide range of vehicles — e-rickshaws, bullock carts, horse-pulled tangas, minivans, bicycles and even palanquins — to reach out to voters as wheels of campaign have started turning for the general election in Bengal.
Leaders cutting across the political spectrum said the use of such vehicles to mingle with the masses was considered a good strategy to grab eyeballs and connect with voters till the last mile.
“For Lok Sabha polls, candidates have to cover vast areas while remaining down to earth. So these vehicles — not air-conditioned SUVs or sedans many are used to — are good for the campaign,” said a senior Trinamul Congress leader in Birbhum.
The Telegraph takes a closer look at some of the poll chariots.
Picture by Pritam Das
Candidate: Babul Supriyo
Party: BJP
Constituency: Asansol
Supriyo, the sitting MP and a Union minister of state, has released on social media pictures of his campaign vehicle, a minivan.
The candidate claimed that he had collaborated with the car manufacturer to design the saffron and green minivan that can accommodate 10 people. The vehicle sports pictures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president Amit Shah. The BJP’s slogans are written over the body of the vehicle in Hindi — a substantial share of the Asansol electorate speaks Hindi — and four loudspeakers are attached to the sides of the roof. “The vehicle isn’t air-conditioned,” Supriyo, who usually travels in SUVs, said.
A BJP leader in Asansol said the vehicle would attract the attention of the masses, as Supriyo ensured it was not something the people usually see in the campaign.
Picture by Amarnath Dutta
Candidate: Satabdi Roy
Party: Trinamul Congress
Constituency: Birbhum
The two-term MP has directed local leaders to arrange for e-rickshaws — popularly known as totos — whenever she goes for campaign. Roy has been going around her constituency in the e-rickshaws, sometimes driving them herself.
“I chose the toto for several reasons. First, I can minimise the physical distance with voters. Second, the structure of the toto keeps me protected from the scorching Birbhum sun. Third, it allows me to access the narrowest of roads,” said Roy.
Picture by Pritam Das
Candidate: Asit Mal
Party: Trinamul Congress
Constituency: Bolpur
Mal said he had been extensively using bullock carts and bicycles for his campaign to let the masses know that he was one of them.
“I will use what the masses here use in everyday life. I am a common man and I want my voters to understand and appreciate me,” he said.
Picture by Amarnath Dutta
Candidate: Dudh Kumar Mondal
Party: BJP
Constituency: Birbhum
Pitted against Satabdi Roy of Trinamul, Mondal has chosen bullock carts for his outreach initiatives. Bullock carts are commonly used in remote rural belts of the Birbhum district.
“We are looking for palanquins on rent also so that we can weave in tradition as well,” said Mondal.
