Improvised campaign dominating Tripura polls

Agartala, Feb 16 (UNI) The Election Commission has stressed on the use of low cost and improvised printing technology during campaigning for the February 23 assembly polls.

The parties have opened a business opportunity for the people by engaging them in the task of making flags and posters through improvised flex printing method.

Official sources said about 675 small flex printing units were registered in past two months in the state, as against 187 in December last.

''We are getting orders for printing of posters in thousands though we presumed only a few hundred, now machines are running non-stop and we are yet to complete the target,'' said Debasish Biswas, a local flex printing unit owner.

This has given scope to the people to earn money, he said adding with the introduction of computers and graphics, the poster making technique has also undergone tremendous change.

Meanwhile, the ECI had put a number of restrictions on political activities in the state and adopted new election management technique like appointment of 13 micro observers for each constituency and central paramilitary forces along with 27 others steps for the first time.

However, patriotic and folk songs dominated the poll campaigns.

The major parties --the Left front and Congress-INPT-PDS combine-- were trying to convince the voters by promising specific and sectoral development.

The ruling Left front ensured development, economic sustainability and blamed the Opposition for forging alliance with INPT, an alleged political mask of banned militant outfit.

The Congress, meanwhile, blamed the Left front government for corruption and vandalism.

The BJP was also seriously campaining with important national leaders and over a hundred star campaigners adressing the party rallies and public meetings in every part of the state.

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