It may be tech times of SMS, Twitter, Facebook, e-mails and the ubiquitous Internet. But there’s none to match the persuasive power good old pamphlets have over the prospective voter’s psyche.
Pamphlets have been one of the most potent tools of political campaigning, whose pictures, pithy slogans, smart, attractive design, colour, help provide that instant connect with the constituent.
Given that the campaign’s purpose is to convince the indecisive elector to vote, reasons to do so, pamphlets, with dramatic and eye-catching messages, matter, to grab the eyeballs of the voters.
And in keeping with the times and trends, pamphlets too have seen a makeover thanks to the enterprising backroom boys of the parties who do their bit to ensure their man pips the other at the electoral post.
If BJP’s H N Ananth Kumar’s has his CV, his achievements vis-a-vis failure of UPA, Congress’ C Narayanaswamy makes no bones thrashing BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s achievements as Gujarat Chief Minister as baloney.
Given its probity plank of presenting squeaky-clean image of itself, the Aam Aadmi Party’s V Balakrishnan provides a sworn testimony he will eschew everything that constitutes ‘corrupt’ political culture.
Saying that your vote can make a difference, and counselling voters to make an informed decision, the Congress’ Rizwan Arshad has doodled the difference between a ‘bad candidate’ and a ‘good candidate.’
The common refrain, though, that runs in all campaign pamphlets, being the party, the candidate, with their photo, the numerical spot where the party’s symbol appears on the electronic voting machine. Of course, the bikes with party flags and banners, the autorickshaws with blaring speakers and banners, are at it.
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