In this image via @AAPDelhi on X on Jan. 16, 2025, AAP
candidate from Chandni Chowk constituency Punardeep Singh with supporters
during a rally before filing his nomination for the upcoming Delhi Assembly
elections, in New Delhi. (@AAPDelhi via PTI Photo)
NEW DELHI — Delhi is in the midst of an intense election season and political
workers are flaunting their allegiances, sporting creatively designed
merchandise with quirky catchphrases and one-liners to attract voters's
imagination.
The Aam Aadmi Party, the BJP, the Congress and other smaller
players, all are trying to outdo each other as merchandise messaging gets
sharper, wittier and personal in appeal.
There are winter-friendly hoodies and colorful stoles,
t-shirts and scarfs, funky sunglasses and key chains, custom-made car flags and
cutouts, pens and posters, and even mousepads. Anything that can be leveraged
is being leveraged.
"These unique items, adorned with party logos and
slogans, are not just tools of promotion but also a way to engage supporters in
a more personal and vibrant manner," said a leader.
The Aam Aadmi Party's hoodies and stoles come in their
signature blue and yellow.
"These feature the face of party's national convenor
Arvind Kejriwal on the front and the party logo on the back, instantly making
them stand out," said Vikram, a key supplier of political merchandise,
based in Sadar Bazar.
The AAP has also ordered customised accessories like
keychains, wristbands, badges, and car flags.
"We have prepared bundles of 2,000 to 2,500 large flags
and 5,000 smaller ones to meet rally demands," Vikram added. The price of
flags varies based on the material and sizes, starting from as low as Rs 2.5
and going up to Rs 165 per piece.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has infused a dash of
quirkiness into its campaign.
"Funky orange sunglasses with the party name written in
white are making waves and the party has also ordered T-shirts featuring Prime
Minister Narendra Modi's image, with an option for people to customise them
with their own pictures," he said.
The Congress party is opting for utility items. They have
placed large orders for mousepads, pens, and keychains carrying party symbol, said
the seller.
The demand for political merchandise has soared in the past
few weeks, with suppliers reporting a 60 percent surge. "Election season
is our busiest time. The creativity and variety in campaign items this year
have been exceptional," said Anil Seth, another merchandise supplier from
Sadar Bazar.
Seth added that for nominations and rallies, people are
purchasing political party's scarfs, garlands, flags and more.
During election time, items like t-shirts, caps, posters,
banners, party symbol cutouts, and leaders' face cut-outs are usually in high
demand for rallies, he said.
Delhi is scheduled to vote on February 5 and the results
will be announced on February 8.
