Now, 'netas' get a taste of Inflation

Politicians hardly bother when the common man complains about inflation. Now, it is payback time.

With campaigning gathering momentum in the run-up to the Mumbai civic polls, the per person cost for rallies, morchas and other such activities has doubled compared with the 2007 civic election.

That candidates “rent people” to participate in rallies and door-to-door campaigning is a common knowledge. In fact, candidates also pay party workers to procure requisite permissions from various authorities, such as the local election officer and police.

“It is a known fact that locals do not accompany the candidates when they are visiting an area unless they are paid to do so. But, party workers also take money for campaigning and no one complains about it because candidates need the manpower,” said a senior politician, on condition of anonymity. 

But, this time, locals and party workers are demanding double than the 2007 civic election. Polling agents are charging Rs800 instead of Rs500 per day. Men who will participate in rallies will be paid Rs400 to Rs500 per day, while women will get Rs100 less. Children, who used to distribute pamphlets in exchange for free meals, now demand Rs150-Rs200 per day.

And on the D-Day, party workers, who set up tables outside housing colonies to guide Mumbaikars on the voting procedure and the location of their poll booth, are demanding Rs3,000 to Rs4,000 per person. Earlier, they charged Rs2,000, including meals, for this task.

“Even their taste buds have improved . Earlier, they would be happy to be served vada pav and missal pav for lunch. Now, they want chicken biryani, pulav or a thali from a good hotel,” said the leader.

But, there are still a few party workers who campaign for their candidates for no cost as they work for their party’s ideology.