Karnataka elections: Why parties are going all out to woo autorickshaw drivers

BENGALURU: They might be loathed for their reckless driving style and detested for their rudeness but as the election temperature rises in Karnataka, autorickshaw drivers are the most coddled lot by political parties.
Unlike the previous elections where drivers provided only logistical support for netas — making announcements and distributing campaign material etc — this time they are a vote bank.And politicians are doing everything they can to woo them.
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While JD(S) promised a monthly dole of Rs 2,000 per auto driver if it forms the government, BJP has been reminding the fraternity of its budgetary promise of extending assistance to their student-children under the Raitha Vidya Nidhi scheme.

Congress’ strategy is offbeat. Last week, state president DK Shivakumar attended an interaction with drivers in Bengaluru and literally ‘became’ an auto driver. Not only did he wear the khaki uniform but also rode an auto at the venue. Videos were widely circulated on social media.
Why auto drivers?
JD(S) legislature party leader HD Kumaraswamy said: “Auto drivers are facing a lot of problems and it is becoming a question of survival for them. Besides being harassed by police and transport officials, they are caught between skyrocketing fuel prices and a fall in earnings. We have to reach out to them. ”
Shivakumar called them “charioteers of ordinary people” who do not “differentiateon the basis of caste and religion”. “By transporting people, they are doing a service,” he said. “But their pockets are being picked daily by surging fuel prices. Auto drivers areimportant for us. ”
Even relative newbie Aam Aadmi Party has been courting auto drivers.
But political analysts say it’s all about the numbers. Some 7. 7 lakh autos (as of mid-February) are registered in the state and, of these, nearly six lakh vehicles are operational (rest could have been scrapped).
In Bengaluru, some 2. 2 lakh of the 3 lakh registered autos are operational. This translates to nearly eight lakh drivers in the state, and nearly 4. 5 lakh (including those operating in shifts) in Bengaluru alone.
“We make a good vote bank,” said BV Raghavendra, who heads the Federation of Karnataka Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union. “When you add families and other dependents such as painters, mechanics and tinkering work personnel, the number is much higher. Political parties are showing interest in us because we are in the spotlight. We have been protesting the government’s transport policies and bike taxis. ”
Good influencers
Brand experts say auto drivers are the best ambassadors on the ground. Political consultant Venkatesh Thogarighatta said: “They are a big influencer segment. They have a very high level of interaction with the public and any goodwill parties achieve is likely to percolate to a larger voter base. Second, ubiquitous autos are a go-to tool for political campaigns; they offer excellent coverage at low costs. Party stickers, banners and posters on autos are a very effective mode of campaigning especially in urban segments. ”
But are drivers hopeful of a good deal? Raghavendra said: “This is the season to make promises. We are not sure if parties will deliver. ”