Patna: Use of posters, banners redundant now?

PATNA: The use of social media platforms has taken its toll on traditional means of electioneering like posters , banners and hoardings.

Many painters and poster makers in the city claim that their revenue began plunging after the 2014 general elections which saw the deep penetration of social media platforms to reach out to the masses.

Posters, which used to be the biggest medium of political advertisement in the past, were rapidly replaced by new mediums, owing to their cost effectiveness and larger impact. As a result, their business has been affected.

Sanjal, who has been in the business of making posters and banners for the last 10 years, said, “The election schedule has been announced, but we have not received a single order. Political parties have made social media their most important tool of campaigning. They are also investing on audio-visual mediums like campaigning vehicles or those with huge LED screens.”

Satyendra Narayan Singh, another trader on Beer Chand Patel Marg, shared a similar experience with this reporter. He said, “We were expecting a surge in orders for posters or banners after the announcement of poll dates on Sunday. I have, however, received not a single order. During the last general elections, I had earned a profit worth Rs10 lakh.”

Few others, who were big players in the business of posters and banners in the past, are not even interested in dealing in poll campaigning material this time because of the fear of facing losses. A trader on Exhibition Road , who did not wish to be named, told this newspaper that a huge order was placed by a particular political party in the 2014 elections, but it did not make the last phase of payment.

Meanwhile, political parties are taking time to place orders for posters and banners as the fight for candidature is still on. BJP state campaign committee convener Baidyanath Raman told this newspaper on Monday, “After the candidates file their nomination papers on March 18, only then will we proceed with placing orders for posters and banners.”

He added, “The budget for posters and banners will, however, be kept low this time as the flow of funds will be diverted to other modes of electioneering.”

On the other hand, Congress state president Madan Mohan Jha said, “Earlier, all walls across the city were filled with posters during the poll season, but now, we have to seek permission from the authorities concerned to put up hoardings.”