Barely ten days are left for the beginning of five-phased assembly polls in the State wherein city florists are anxiously waiting for big orders from political parties. Unlike, lok Sabha polls held in April they have hardly received orders from any of the political parties.
“This time the sale of big garlands has not gained momentum. The demand might increase in the third phase when elections are scheduled within Ranchi and its neighbouring constituencies,” flower merchant Rajesh Kumar at Shaheed Chowk said. Kumar however, mentioned on the sale of small garlands till Friday, the deadline for candidate nomination filing of the third phase polls.
“Parties seem to purchase one or two garlands ranging between `20 to `30 in order to congratulate their favourite leader for filing nomination. Even supporters of Independent candidates are turning up in our shop. We expect to get order for bulk of garlands like that made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) two days back when PM Modi addressed rallies at Daltonganj and Chandwa,” Kumar added.
Flower merchant RK Malakar selling flowers at Albert Ekka Chowk for last 55 years has sold hundreds of marigold flowers since 20 days. The list of his customers includes Independent candidates, members of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Congress and BJP. “This is an off season for our business but elections have changed the scenario. The cost of a ladi (thread) bearing marigold flowers ranges around `15. We have reduced the rates for getting whole sale orders from political parties,” Malakar said.
Flower merchants at Kutchery, Main Road, Doranda, lalpur, Hinoo and Birsa Chowk are probably not fortunate like Rajesh Kumar and RK Malakar. Flower Dealer Hari Malakar selling flowers over a decade near Congress Bhawan mentioned the sale of flowers has not been much this time.
“let the campaigning of candidates contesting for Ranchi, Hatia and Kanke begin within the city. Thereafter, all our merchant brothers will earn a handsome income from each political party and Independent candidate. Till then, we have to be patient,” Ram Kumar Mali, a flower distributor near Ratan Talkies said. Notably, political parties had roped in prominent musicians of the city soon after the nomination of first phase poll was over on November 5. The case of flower merchants is opposite to such musicians.
Jharkhand since its foundation in 2000 has witnessed nine government and three President Rules. Flower merchants feel the sale of marigold has always been in demand in every election. “Marigold is comparatively cheaper and easily accessible in a flower stall. It is because of this reason, parties prefer purchasing this particular flower,” flower merchant RK Malakar said.