Roti, Kapda aur Eggs

This election season, Tamil Nadu’s political parties have become bulk customers of eggs

This time of the poll calendar, demand for Namakkal’s eggs far outstrips its supply. And if you consider that the town in central Tamil Nadu produces an astounding 30 million eggs every day, that is some demand indeed. Namakkal is the second largest egg producer in the country.

Politics and eggs came together when the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam used it effectively in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls. The party found that egg biryani was a cheaper option than the mutton and chicken versions. Ever since, the egg biryani has become the staple election dish to woo voters, says a DMK leader who does not want to go on record. “In 2009, the distribution of egg biryani became so popular that the Chief Electoral Officer asked parties not to serve it in poll-related feasts and meetings as he equated handing out free packed egg biryanis with distribution of gifts such as dhotis and saris. Even now, election officials keep a tab,’’ he says.

In 2009, industry insiders say the price of an egg was Rs 1.80 and it increased to between Rs 2.25 and Rs 2.50 by the end of the polls. This election, the demand for eggs has shot up and each commands between Rs 3 and Rs 3.20 at the farm gate itself.

Eggs are produced by around 1,000 plus units there. In regular times, a large number are supplied to the state’s mid-day meal scheme in schools. Around 5 million eggs are exported every day, the rest are sold to agents from neighbouring states. National Egg Coordination Committee’s (NECC’s) Namakkal zone head P Selvaraj claims that despite the staggering numbers, producers have suffered huge losses due to expensive feed and increased production. Over-production leads to under-selling and an inability to get a good price. Statistics maintained by NECC reveal that this summer, production in Namakkal has touched 35 million eggs on some days in anticipation of extra demand.

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Anil Budur Lulla