Demand for election paraphernalia shoots up

BHUBANESWAR: The demand for banners, posters, cut-outs and T-shirts has increased this election season and so has the income of makers of election paraphernalia. Major political parties are giving bulk orders to manufacturers to supply election material to them and the sellers are laughing all the way to the bank, said a market analyst.

Ajay Kumar Ghadai, owner of the city-based Aditya Graphics, said, “We are getting bulk orders from many parties. There is a high demand for flex items as they catch the attention of the people. Now I am busy with orders from BJD and the Left parties.”

Like him, many makers have their hands full as the campaigning has reached a feverish pitch. “Usually, we do business of around Rs 6,000. With the twin elections in the state, our income per day has increased four-fold,” Ghadai said with a broad smile on his face.

Sasikanta Jena, owner of Nupur Art, stated, “I have got orders to make 10,000 T-shirts each for BJD and Congress.” Giving a rough calculation, he added, “On usual days, our income hardly crosses Rs 60,000 a month. Now our monthly income has touched Rs 2.5 lakh. We are making things like posters, banners, T-shirts, caps and the like.”

If they receive bulk orders for caps from any party, the procurement usually happens from places like Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu and other south Indian cities.

“The price of a cap starts from Rs 40 while that of a T-shirt can range from Rs 110 to Rs 500 depending on the material and the writing to be embossed on it. Flex material, on an average, costs Rs 7 per square feet. However, if a candidate wants flex with frames, the cost rises to Rs 25 per square feet,” said Ghadai.

“There is no dearth of demand now,” said Prajes Mohapatra of Hytone, another manufacturer. According to him, a 10cm x 8cm pushing card costs 80 paise while a cut-out is worth Rs 55 per square feet.

“Political parties are making a beeline for us,” said Sasikanta. Some enterprising youths and party cadets have also opened shops near the respective party offices to sell merchandise.

According to psychiatrist S N Parida, “These advertising materials are major attractions for the people. The more they see it, the more the message registers in their subconscious. Their effect on voters can’t be ignored.”


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