Wireless speakers, LED lights add flair to campaign vehicles

Trichy: With the major political parties having started releasing the list of candidates for the assembly elections next month, car accessories workshops in Trichy are racing against time to customise campaign vehicles. Wireless Bluetooth speakers for better audio clarity and energy-efficient LED lights to reduce heat dissipation amid the sultry summer were among the customisations sought-after by parties.

The customisation work for the poll campaign starts from a minimum of Rs 1 lakh, mostly depending on the size of the vehicle and quality of products used. Though candidates are not finalised by most political parties, party members confident of getting a seat are modifying their vehicles.

Political parties said the time slot to campaign is short this time. Unlike parliamentary elections, assembly elections involve hyperlocal campaigning and parties including DMK, AIADMK, AMMK and Congress are readying their campaign vehicles. Parties are preparing multiple vehicles such as mini-trucks, SUVs and mini-tourist vans to reach all corners of the district.

"Many parties are asking for attached toilets in the vans. Some demand hydraulic lifts. But the most common request is to strengthen the vehicle's stability even if members overcrowd the vehicle. Some vehicles are equipped to accommodate 20 people at a time," said J Senthil Kumar, owner of Annai Leo Auto Accessories from Dheeran Nagar.

The additional gadgets are powered by portable diesel generators. Demand to attach fans in the vehicles is another common demand. Soon after the customisation, parties are taking the vehicles to RTO offices to get special permits and submit the same to the election department to get permissions for campaigns.