The Hindu : Other States / Haryana News : Networking, the tea party way

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Monday, Jan 31, 2005

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Other States - Haryana

Networking, the tea party way

By K.V. Prasad

HISSAR, JAN. 30 . Chai Rakhi Hai (organised a tea party) is the new buzzword in Haryana politics. It is perhaps a unique method through which candidates and their constituents identify each other and a social event that generates funds.

The State that gave a new dimension to "Aya Ram and Gaya Ram" in the Indian political lexicon can perhaps take pride in turning a common event like a tea party into one that sends a strong message of association of a community with a political leader or party.

"The amount of money that the candidates rake in, especially those who are expected to be ahead in the race, is amazing. It is normal for a candidate of a leading party to attend at least two or three such events in one village. The number goes up according to the candidate's standing and by evening the jute money bags bloat with stuffed currency," said a Bhiwani-based scribe of a reputed Hindi daily.

Garlands, gifts

The normal practice is that the candidate visits the village square where supporters organise a welcome session that varies from garlands of flowers to those strung with currency. The latter could be as low as Rs. 101 and, of course, of higher denominations. There are some who hand over denominations of Rs. 500 and above. Gifts in the form of silver crowns, artefacts and idols are common.

Moving from the square to the drawing room, the candidate shares tea, snacks or a sweet, even as those eager to associate with him make sure they are photographed "for posterity." For instance, in Mithathal, Rajesh Kumar, a former Haryana Vikas Party supporter, organised a tea for Ranbir Singh Mahendra, the BCCI chief who is contesting from Mundhal. He presents a silver chariot which he claims was worth Rs.2,200 while at the square the event manager hands a list of contributors to the campaign manager.

This list is important, because it is through this that the event manager and contributors reach their candidate later.

The networking is clear. After elections, the event manager in each of the villages would become the link between the leader and the constituent while the ones with whom the candidate sips tea acquires greater clout on account of "perceived" proximity.

The clamour to organise the tea party is to smoothen the route to seek favours in return at a later date. And what if the candidate fails to win. Treat it is as an "investment" that turned bad.

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Networking, the tea party way