campaign-on-wheels-rickshaw-pullers-make-the-most-out-of-polls

Elections have created temporary employment opportunities for people hailing from various strata of the society. Ways to generate income is directly proportional to the scale of the election.

Elections are incomplete without campaigning. From bigshot leaders to party workers participating in this exercise, which require manpower, try with all their might by putting up big campaigning programmes to woo voters.

Rickshaw pullers, too, are making the most out of this election season. Decorated with party banners and endorsing a party’s message by installing loudspeakers, rickshaw drivers have got a chance to increase their income.  

Political leaders also use rickshaws as vehicles to travel from one locality to another to reach out to the masses during elections. And notably, they manage to draw people’s attention.

Engaging rickshaw pullers in election campaigns is a move that helps these rickshaw pullers to boost their income by remodelling their vehicle.

“I hardly used to make Rs 300 per day by ferrying people. It is difficult to make both ends meet by earning such a meagre amount. However, by participating in election campaigns for a party is enabling me to earn Rs 1,000 to 1,200 daily. This boost in my income is owing to polls. By putting up posters and banners of contestants of a political party on my rickshaw during elections help me to make triple the amount of what I earn on usual days. Hence, I can take care of my family in a better way,” said a rickshaw puller, who resides in Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

Even flat rickshaws, which are a means to transport goods, are being used by the political parties for campaigning.

From door-to-door campaigns to transporting election-related stuff, rickshaws have turned out to be integral to campaigning.

“During elections our work starts at 7AM and by 10PM, it gets over. We stay with party cadres and contestants throughout the day. And we get our remuneration as we call it a day,” said another flat rickshaw driver from the same locality, who eagerly waits for elections.