Congress’s iconic dupattas contrast with the BJP’s lotus dream catchers: Passion for polls stokes e-commerce websites

In India, e-commerce has become a hotbed of political activity, with products associated with different political parties being highly sought-after.

These internet stores sell a wide range of merchandise with election themes, from the Congress emblem on old marine clocks to the BJP lotus on dream catchers and the AAP’s logo on dupattas.

Just type the name of your preferred political party into an online store’s search box, and a wide selection of products, such as pens, pendants, and flags, will appear.

A spokesperson from an e-commerce company said that this tendency first became apparent during the 2019 elections when e-commerce platforms were the preferred places to purchase campaign accessories and merchandize.

“When everything is sold online, why not this and it is the sellers who put it on our platforms and the e-commerce websites have to just check it follows the protocol,” she said.

Remarkably, a few political parties have engaged in the sale of this kind of products directly from their websites.

For example, the NaMo merchandise website features a wide selection of items such as T-shirts, mugs, notebooks, badges, wristbands, keychains, stickers, magnets, caps, and pens with phrases like ‘Modi ki guarantee,’ ‘Phir ek baar, Modi sarkar,’ and ‘Modi hai toh mumkin hai” on them.

PTI attempted to get a remark on this trend from Flipkart and Amazon India, but neither site responded.

However, one of the vendors of these goods to online retailers disclosed that there was a spike in online sales of these goods during the Lok Sabha elections.

“Previously, our supplies were directed to physical shops, but with the shift towards online retail, it only made sense to adapt,” said the vendor.

Additionally, the supplier pointed out that products linked to the Congress and BJP continue to be among the best-selling commodities, but the full effect of the election fervor has not yet been seen since this is just the first trend.

This time, a new trend that was growing was seen by another supplier: there was a greater demand for items that represented state and regional parties.

These online stores provide a wide selection of products to suit different political preferences. Some examples of these products include CPI (M) bonnet flags, TMC AC Adapter Night Lamps, and key chains with the Samajwadi Party’s emblem.

There are eight to ten stores that specialize in things linked to polls at Sadar Market, which is known as the biggest wholesale market for domestic goods in Delhi.

Over the last ten years, there has been a noticeable change in the way these things are sold, according to Sadar Bazaar trader Shamshad Ali.

“A considerable portion of campaigning has transitioned online, and our products primarily cater to rallies or are distributed among party members,” said Ali.

Many merchants are now concentrating on product innovation in order to remain competitive.

A wind catcher with the lotus symbol of the BJP, a clock with the Samajwadi Party logo, and dupattas with the Congress insignia are a few examples.

The Lok Sabha elections are expected to take place in seven stages, starting on April 19 and ending on June 4 for the vote count.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will run for a third straight term in what is considered to be the greatest democratic exercise in history.

Phases two through six will occur on April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.