One of the most indispensable figures in this election is a man called Anil bhai in old Delhi’s Sadar Bazaar. There’s many a shop selling election campaign material here, but workers from every political party head first to Anil’s shop.
However, the Election Commission’s strict rule that flags and posters cannot be put up on public property has meant a decline in business. “Do you find a single flag in your colony?” asks Anil bhai.
But innovation comes easy to the versatile traders here. Those who make socks are now using the material to make wrist bands; those who were making summer caps are making Gandhi topis.
Many of the shops here sell festival wares, colours for Holi, crackers for Diwali, flags for poll season. Perhaps, we should set down the election as another festival then?