Election is none of their business

By A. V. Ragunathan

SALEM, APRIL 18. The stringent election rules have affected a section of service providers such as artists and sound system operators.

Since the model code is being strictly implemented in letter and in spirit and as every candidate has to maintain an account of their election expenditure, the parties have become wary of placing orders for propaganda materials. Otherwise, they would attract adverse attention from the Election Commission.

Earlier, there was a huge demand for giant size cut-outs, but subsequent to the ban on such paraphernalia, the parties are fighting shy of flashy propaganda.

The law-enforcing authorities have categorically told the parties that they should not erect any cut-out or place hoardings and banners in public places. Wall writing on government property is prohibited and on private property it could be permitted with the written consent of the owner.

The artists bemoan that these rules have rendered them virtually jobless, besides imposing burden of sustaining a large supporting workforce. What is worse, the banners and cutouts already put up at certain places have to be dismantled on police direction. According to Mr. S. P. Bhoopalan, proprietor of Annai Arts, the business has totally collapsed for want of orders. Earlier, the artists and painters would be so busy that they could hardly get a wink of sleep during election time.

Supporting workforce including carpenters, cartmen, and tempo drivers has started feeling the pinch. Their service is no longer required for electioneering.

Mr. Bhoopalan says that many artists have put up the hoardings for which they could not get the regular clients. To add to their woes, many companies are reluctant to hire the hoardings for fear that some urchins might put up the political posters. However, the artists have to pay tax to the civic bodies, whether the hoardings carry any advertisement or are left blank.

The artists are already facing a tough time, because of dwindling orders from cinema houses. .

Rope-making units, which fall under the cottage industry, have lost brisk sales. The sound system providers are in a similar predicament, because the rules say only box-type speakers should be provided at public meetings and not the regular cone-type speakers.

Thus, a whole lot of people want the elections to get over so that they can resume their normal business.

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Section  : Southern States
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