With just a week left for the much-awaited Assembly elections, paid canvassing has picked up in all the constituencies. The political parties, which have hit the campaign trail, are vying with each other to attract youths, who are able to accompany the candidates during their door-to-door campaigning, braving the scorching heat and dust.
Though the parties like the Congress, the BJP and the JD(S) have enough supporters, they engage a group of youths in every locality, as it becomes easy for them to approach the locals to seek their support. With colleges yet to begin for the current academic year, the youths are ready to sweat it out for a few hours, campaigning for their favourite party. Of course, they are taken care of, by paying a minimum of Rs 500 per day, plus food and beverages. With party flags, they hit the streets, distributing pamphlets, appealing to the voters to cast their votes to a particular party.
Besides, the parties also require educated youths for procedures like listing the names of the voters along with the polling booth address, that are distributed among the households in the constituencies. For every booklet containing 1,000 leaflets, the party pays them Rs 500, with food packets and fruit juice, to beat the heat.
Self-help groups
The parties try to reach women voters through the network of women self-help groups (SHG) or Stree Shakti Sanghas, as they play a decisive role. The SHGs, comprising hundreds of women members have emerged as the new vote bank. They have grown into strong organisations and turn active during elections. The political parties assure them with various benefits if they come to power.