It is election time; everybody who is somebody is earning and enjoying

April 4: You might be wondering about the drifters that roam around in your locality and a ubiquitous question that arises almost instantly – Where are they? No need to worry, they are fine and right now ‘employed’. Courtesy: Delhi Municipal elections.

Political parties in the national capital might be having sleepless nights but unemployed youth and local children are making merry as in most of the wards, candidates for civic polls hire them on daily basis. They are paid good, sometimes receiving attractive incentives, and their wages depend on experience and age.

Aspiring councilors boost election triggered employment with packages between Rs 50 to Rs 200 per day, excluding the ‘resources persons’ who enjoy better treatment and get extra booty of the booze.

"We get Rs 50 a day for roaming around carrying the banner of Bharatiya Janta party along with pictures of the candidate," says Ram Chander, a 17 year-old-boy campaigning for the local BJP candidate in Rohini.

In Central Delhi, carrying emblems of their candidate is not only a norm but circulating hundreds of pamphlets has to be carried out. “I am responsible for circulating the pamphlets near the Bhogal area and my working hours start from early in the morning hours till 5 pm,� Harmeet, 21 year old said.

Harmeet prays for the elections and the bounty it carries. “During elections demand for people like me rises and we get a chance to make extra bucks,� he said.

Campaigners are not only enticed by money but also promises have been made for providing them permanent jobs plus University admissions.

An anonymous caller from Pantnagar called on and said, "My candidate is rich and powerful and he pays well. Moreover, he belongs to Congress and he can even help me to get admission in University.�

To woo the adults sometimes liquor is offered as bait. For them liquor is a priority and requirement they cannot deny. Most of the candidates make special arrangement of liquors to lure them.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has reportedly confiscated more than 600 bottles of liquor and three vehicles that were used for transportation in the last three days.

“We have recovered 600 bottles of liquor and three vehicles used for their transportation. This liquor was being taken to Delhi from Haryana for the purpose of distribution in slums to woo the voters in MCD elections,� Anil Shukla, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, South district, reportedly said.