Lok Sabha elections: Banner biz in Hyderabad hit hard as netas go online

HYDERABAD: Makers of banners, flexis and other campaign material in the city, who once used to have a red-hot business time during elections, are taking a backseat now. Orders have dwindled since political parties have started to focus on social media for their campaignsa.


With parties relying on social media platforms to woo their voters, traders fear that party banners, flexis, kanduvas, badges and caps will soon be mere relics.

“We used to be flooded with orders to make banners, flags and caps once the schedule for elections was out every time. But this time, we hardly have any orders. All our clients are now relying on the internet to campaign for their candidates and parties,” said Zubaid of MJ flags and banner manufacturers at Habib Nagar. “We are in the business for 20 years and this is the first time we are witnessing this situation,” added Zubaid.

Another trader pointed out that while the Facebook pages and WhatsApp groups have already become active, there have been no bulk orders for flexis, banners or other accessories.

“Every candidate has a WhatsApp group and a Facebook account these days. They do all their campaigning through phones and computers. Earlier, more than 100 candidates from different political parties used to approach us for all kinds of campaign material. This time we do not even have 20 orders. We have to shut our shops if the business continues to be like this,” said Mohsin Hussain of Hussain banners at Begum Bazaar.

Only a few dealers are hoping that the tide would turn in their favour when the candidates will hit the road for the final round of campaign in the coming days.

“Right now, we have no business. The workers just come in and sit aimlessly for the entire day and leave. I am not even sure if I will be able to pay my workers on time this time but I am just hoping that the business will gain momentum in the next few days,” said Hussain.