India goes to the polls in 48 hours. With voting spread over 5 weeks all the major parties are trying unique ways to attract voters.
The main players are Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) which forms the ruling coalition National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Congress party led by Rahul Gandhi and the third front called "Mahagathbandhan" in which various regional parties are joining hands to contest upcoming elections.
Many of their followers have come up with unusual campaigning styles that urge voters to press the button next to their favourite politician's name on the voting day.
Worker dries colourful materials dedicated to the Congress Party campaigns ahead of India's general election, Ahmedabad March 11, 2019. Image SAM PANTHAKY Source: AFP/Getty Images
The 'Modi Saree'
The 'Modi Saree' has been launched in Surat in Gujarat and has become quite popular with customers.
"Right now, we have at least four types of sarees with Prime Minister Modi's face on it, and it is in high demand by women,” a shopkeeper told The Times of India.
The opposition Congress party workers, in turn, created a colourful saree with the faces of Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi printed on it, which was sent to Congress workers across the nation.
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Modi bindis in the market
A bindi company in India has introduced its ‘campaign’ product just days before the elections.
Prime Minister Modi’s face, as well as the BJP’s symbol and the “Phir Se Modi Sarkar” (Once again Modi government) slogan are all printed on the wrapping.
Within a few hours of launching the unusual product wrapper, it went viral on social media platforms and on the internet. However, it was heavily criticised by opposition parties.
Wedding invitations
A wedding invitation card urging voters to vote for Modi in the election has also gone viral in India. According to media reports, a couple in India showed their support for Modi by printing: "Our Gift is your Vote for Modi in 2019 Loksabha Elections" on their wedding invitation card.
One of India's main airlines, Air India, went a bit further.
The airline printed photos of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on boarding passes. Many passengers criticised Air India's approach, accusing the airline of violating the Election Commission code of conduct.
After the uproar, Air India pulled these boarding passes back.
Chowkidaar vs Berozgaar
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi changed his official Twitter handle from Narendra Modi to Chowkidaar Narendra Modi, (Watchman Narendra Modi) with a message to the nation.
Most of the senior party officials followed his lead changing their respective twitter handles.
Social media went into overdrive with the youth wing of the Congress coming up with the 'Main Bhi Berozgaar', meaning "I am unemployed (under Modi government)" hashtag on Twitter which they claimed went viral within a few hours of launching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKo0PMRwK7Q
Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi biopics
"PM Narendra Modi" is a Bollywood film depicting the life journey of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The film was scheduled to be released on 5th April but after a complaint of a violation of the Code of Conduct was filed, the film pushed back its schedule to 11th April.
Meanwhile opposition leader Rahul Gandhi's biopic "My Name is RaGa" is set to be released sometime in April 2019.
Critics believe both films are just a promotion strategy to attract voters.
