On Track For Kerala Elections, Trains Wrapped In Ads

Kannur: As the Kannur-Trivandrum Intercity Express pulls into the station, several waiting passengers do a double take. Wrapped in bright red, the train boldly carries the election promises of the Left Democratic Front or LDF coalition.

In a state where trains are the most popular mode of intercity travel and new guidelines from the election commission restrict outdoor publicity, advertising on trains like this one - which covers the length of the Kerala - has found favour

"Earlier at least we used to be allowed to put up posters and write our signs in public spaces. New rules don't allow us that. It's the election season and we are reaching out to maximum number of people possible. What better way than trains?" MV Govindan, CPM's State Secretariat Member, said.

The railway authorities say it's all about revenue. The Trivandrum Division of Indian Railways has received around Rs 35 lakh from the LDF for putting up the advertising wrappers on four trains. There are two more trains in Palakkad division.
 "I am here in the market to generate revenue. And because we offer them good value for money, all parties - not just one, are interested in exploring the option of advertising with us for this election. And we gain revenue," the Railway Divisional Manager for Trivandrum, Sunil Bajpai, told NDTV.

Rival political parties have slammed the Left for abandoning their austere approach to canvassing for votes and spending money on this method of campaigning.

Bindu Krishna, President of Mahila Congress, said, "This shows the true capitalist nature of CPM. It claims to serve the poor and down trodden but is spending crores for its 'train branding' and other campaigns."