Labour is in short supply in Mandya these days, with MSMEs (micro, small and medium-scale enterprises) and the unorganised sector unable to match the wages offered by the bustling business of politics in this Lok Sabha constituency, where two high-profile actor-turned-leaders are contesting. This despite the fact that, according to sources, several hundreds of daily wage earners in Bengaluru’s booming construction sector with voting rights in Mandya district have returned to their homes.
Routine economic activity in the district has taken a hit, with workers at rice mills, traditional jaggery-making units ( aalemanes ), saw mills and the garment industry going on leave. “But most of them are working for one or the other candidate,” said Neelakanta, a social activist in Nagamangala. Indeed, hundreds of men and women are seen following the rallies and roadshows for both candidates in the constituency. On an average, no less than five major rallies or roadshows are held here every day.
Locally available workers are hired for show of strength required for these rallies. “The turnout is seen as a success in electioneering, boosts the confidence of the candidates, may prompt the electorate to vote for them, and attempts to demoralise other contenders,” Srinivas, a former gram panchayat member at Malavalli, said.
“Production of jaggery is down by at least 35% with labourers away,” Nagendra, a partner at an aalemane on the Mandya-Pandavapura road, said. A saw mill owner in Nagamangala rued that his enterprise has been closed since March 25 because his workers have left. A rice mill owner in Srirangapatna said nearly 60% of his employees were attending rallies.
Mandya LS constituency comprises eight Assembly segments. It has been a hub of hectic political parleys ever since the process of filing nomination papers began in March. Battle lines have since been drawn between Independent candidate Sumalatha, wife of actor-politician the late M.H. Ambareesh, and the JD(S)’s K. Nikhil, son of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.
The All-India Democratic Women’s Association leader Devi said uptake on the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, which mandates ₹249 a day for eight hours of work with break, has also been hit. “Attendance at political rallies fetches at least ₹250 for two hours. Recently, men also got petrol for their vehicles for attending a bike rally as part of campaigning,” she told The Hindu .
For a day-long work in electioneering activities, the amount paid is between ₹1,000 and ₹1,500.
Through most of the year, every morning, at least 1,200 daily wage earners assemble on the pavement off the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway in Mandya town, near Mahaveer Circle, anticipating labour contractors will give them work. These days, however, organisers of political rallies are routinely seen here.
The model code of conduct says luring voters with cash and freebies is an offence. According to officials on poll duty, hiring attendees for political rallies is also a poll code violation. However, they have not registered any case as no one has approached the District Election Commission with a complaint. “If anyone provides proof, we will definitely book a case. We will also ask the personnel on duty to keep an eye on the development,” an officer said.
