NEW DELHI: Political fervor has even permeated the realm of e-commerce in India, where products related to political parties have become highly prized commodities.
From the BJP’s lotus flower on dreamcatchers to the AAP logo on old maritime clocks to iconic congressional dupattas, those online platforms offer a plethora of election-themed products.
Simply enter the name of your desired politician into the search bar of an e-commerce website and a varied diversity of products, from flags to pendants to pens, will fill the page.
This trend first emerged in 2019 surveys, when e-commerce platforms flock to destinations in search of crossover products and accessories, said a representative of an e-commerce platform.
“When everything is sold online, why not? It’s the distributors who put it on our platforms and the e-commerce sites just have to check that it complies with the protocol,” he said.
In particular, some political parties have been actively involved in selling these on their respective websites.
The NaMo product website, for example, offers a wide variety of products, adding t-shirts, mugs, notebooks, badges, bracelets, keychains, stickers, magnets, caps and pens with slogans such as “Modi ka parivar”, “Phir”. . ek baar, Modi sarkar”, “Modi ki garantie” and “Modi hai toh mumkin hai”.
Despite PTI’s attempts to solicit a reaction from Amazon India and Flipkart on this trend, reactions have been received from both platforms.
However, one of the suppliers of those products for e-commerce platforms revealed that the Lok Sabha elections saw an increase in online sales of those items.
“Before, ours were intended for physical stores, but with the move to e-commerce it made sense to adapt,” says the supplier.
In addition, the vendor noted that BJP and Congress-related products remain among the best-selling products, although the full effect of election fervor has yet to materialize, as it only reflects the initial trend.
Another pointed to a new trend that is emerging this time: increased demand for goods representing regional and state parties.
These e-commerce platforms will offer a varied diversity of pieces to suit political affiliations, adding keychains adorned with the Samajwadi party logo, TMC force adapter night lighting fixtures, and CPI(M) bonnet flags.
Sadar Market, known as Delhi’s largest wholesale household goods market, is home to more than 8 to 10 companies specializing in survey-related materials.
According to Shamshad Ali, a trader at Sadar Bazaar, there has been a notable increase in the sale of these over the past decade.
“A large part of the campaign was conducted online, and our products are primarily intended for rallies or distributed to members,” Ali said.
To be competitive, many suppliers are now focusing on product innovation.
Examples include a clock adorned with the Samajwadi party logo, a wind trap adorned with the BJP lotus flower emblem, and dupattas adorned with the Congress logo.
The Lok Sabha elections are expected to be held in seven phases, on 19 April, and the vote count is scheduled for 4 June.
This is the world’s largest democratic exercise, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will seek a third consecutive term.
The next stages will take place on 26 April, 7 May, 13 May, 20 May, 25 May and 1 June.
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