Parties engage jobless youths for campaign
The unemployed youths are picked up especially from the slum pockets
The upcoming twin elections in the state have proved to be a bonanza for the unemployed youths with political parties engaging them in high voltage campaigning.
The youths are being roped in for services like distribution of pamphlets, raising slogans, installing party flags and cut outs of individual candidates in lieu of handsome payments from the parties. The unemployed youths are picked up especially from the slum pockets.
"Yes, we are installing the cut-outs for this particular political party and getting payment in return," said a group of youths here. They, however, did not disclose the money they got for the purpose.
"There is no fixed amount. The local leader has assigned the job and he has assured us payment," they said.
Women folk are also getting involved in electioneering, attending rallies and accompanying the candidates.
"Our job is to campaign and we are also enjoying our job. We are instantly paid in cash for the work," said a group of young women. Women working as daily wage earners and domestic help are doubling up for the poll related assignments.
"When we go with the candidates, the people in different localities greet us very warmly. In some places they also serve us cold drinks. But we do not disclose our identity," says 25-year-old V Narsimha, a daily wage earner.
Ranjita (30), a domestic help, has spared 10 days for election related work.
"I have already informed the house owners about my absence for 10 days. I will devote myself to campaigning that will help fetch me more money," she stated. "The days are gone when the dedicated party workers toiled hard for the party during the campaign. Almost all political parties are grappling with dearth of workers. In this situation, we have been forced to hire jobless youths for the purpose," says a contestant in Berhampur.
The youths are being roped in for services like distribution of pamphlets, raising slogans, installing party flags and cut outs of individual candidates in lieu of handsome payments from the parties. The unemployed youths are picked up especially from the slum pockets.
"Yes, we are installing the cut-outs for this particular political party and getting payment in return," said a group of youths here. They, however, did not disclose the money they got for the purpose.
"There is no fixed amount. The local leader has assigned the job and he has assured us payment," they said.
Women folk are also getting involved in electioneering, attending rallies and accompanying the candidates.
"Our job is to campaign and we are also enjoying our job. We are instantly paid in cash for the work," said a group of young women. Women working as daily wage earners and domestic help are doubling up for the poll related assignments.
"When we go with the candidates, the people in different localities greet us very warmly. In some places they also serve us cold drinks. But we do not disclose our identity," says 25-year-old V Narsimha, a daily wage earner.
Ranjita (30), a domestic help, has spared 10 days for election related work.
"I have already informed the house owners about my absence for 10 days. I will devote myself to campaigning that will help fetch me more money," she stated. "The days are gone when the dedicated party workers toiled hard for the party during the campaign. Almost all political parties are grappling with dearth of workers. In this situation, we have been forced to hire jobless youths for the purpose," says a contestant in Berhampur.