Film stars may not be much in demand in Maharashtra, but in another poll-bound state, people are hankering after them.
A BJP leader in charge of election management in Arunachal Pradesh said workers in most parts of the state were pressing the leadership to bring film stars to campaign.
“They say people are not interested in political leaders, but want to see film stars in action. If leaders want, they can address public meetings.
“Even the Congress is doing it,” he said.
What about national leaders and other high-profile politicians considered “star campaigners”? “In Arunachal, ‘star’ means a film star. They are the biggest draw. Once there is a gathering, leaders can lecture people about politics and programmes.”
The BJP is trying to rope in film and TV stars affiliated to the party to campaign in Arunachal. “We are trying to get Shatrughan Sinha. There is a great demand for Hema Malini as well. We will also ask Smriti Irani to campaign,” a party worker said.
The programme will be decided once the candidates are finalised. The BJP finalised on Saturday names of seven candidates for polls to the 60-member Arunachal assembly.
Apart from the preference for film stars, elections in the state are different also in the manner votes are decided. Money plays a major role, sometimes dwarfing all poll issues. Crores of rupees are distributed by parties to woo voters in most parts of the northeastern region, a BJP leader said.
Compared to other parts of the country, the conduct of elections in the northeast is a costly affair, he said. A village community may vote en bloc for a candidate or party, in accordance with the decision of their headman and elders.
“They usually ask what the candidate or party has to offer. This is often in terms of money. It is a ‘cash-for-vote’ system,” the BJP worker said.
After talking to one party, they may ask its rival for a better deal. The one who wins the ‘auction’, gets the votes.
In an acknowledgement of this, the Arunachal Youth Democratic Forum has called on voters not to be lured by money, while urging leaders to avoid monetised politics.
