Cash cap, multiple teams turn paper tiger

Effectiveness of squads in curtailing money power of parties questionable; public bear brunt

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IT was Friday morning. With only two weeks left for the Lok Sabha election, a booth-level campaign office of a major party in Maduravoyal, coming under Sriperumbudur constituency, was bustling with activity. "It is at the booth-level that the real fight happens," said Thirumaran (name changed), who is in charge of the office.

Around eight to 13 people are at his command at any given time. "Our work involves mobilising people for the campaign when candidates or key leaders visit nearby areas, advertising on walls, carrying out campaigns independently, verifying voters lists etc," he said.

According to him, the daily expenditure at the booth office is around 15,000 and it goes up as the polling day nears. Food for party workers, transportation, mobilising crowds and advertising constitute key expenses. "I know for a fact that it goes up to ₹40,000 to 50,000 in constituencies where heavyweights are in the fray," he added.

With major parties having 1,500 to 1,700 booth committees in a parliamentary constituency, an estimate of 10,000 per day per booth would result in a total expenditure of a whopping 30 crore for 20 days.

A functionary in Arakkonam constituency said his party's candidate had given 10,000 for the party unit in each village for painting party symbols on walls.