Gurgaon Labour Chowks Empty as Workers Choose Paid Roles at Political Rallies

Labour chowks in Gurugram appear empty lately, not due to festivals or construction bans, but because workers have found a new opportunity: attending political rallies. Typically, these spots are bustling with workers seeking daily wage jobs. However, the upcoming Haryana assembly elections on October 5 have shifted their focus. Political parties are hiring them as paid attendees for rallies, offering similar pay to what they earn from construction work.

Sundar, a labourer from Bihar residing in Gurugram for eight years, shared his experience. "The job is less taxing for us and we get paid mostly the same amount -- Rs 800 to Rs 1,000 for each rally, which is what we get paid after a daylong of hard work. So, I and my family do not go to the chowk these days," he explained. Sundar is not registered to vote locally but finds rally attendance more lucrative than daily labour.

Political Rally Attendance

Mohan, who recently registered as a voter in Gurugram after moving from Balia, Uttar Pradesh, also attends these rallies. He mentioned that construction work is seasonal and often slows down due to rain or pollution. "October and November are Diwali and Chatth months so labourers go on long leaves to their hometowns. Pollution also leaves us out of work during winters. So, I attend these rallies, sometimes of different parties too," he said.

His wife joins him at rallies despite her job as a domestic helper making it hard to take leave. She finds the pay better than her regular job and appreciates the free food provided at rallies. Even if her employers deduct wages for her absence, the benefits outweigh the losses.

Demand for Rally Crowds

A district-level worker from a political party confirmed that they reach out to labourers for large rallies. "When some big leader is coming from the central leadership, the attendance has to be strong for a show of strength. We do our networking on ground to get maximum people to attend the rallies but we have to use some ways to show crowd too," he stated anonymously.

Binny Singhla, a taxi operator near the Punjab-Haryana border, noted that demand for paid crowds at political events is common. Taxi operators are often asked to provide both vehicles and people for larger rallies across Haryana. He explained that there is no obligation on attendees regarding whom they should vote for; they are simply paid as daily wage earners.

Logistics of Rally Participation

For local gatherings, political parties often pick up groups of people from markets or labour chowks rather than approaching individuals separately. This strategy ensures they can gather 50-100 people at once for their events. The practice highlights how political campaigns leverage local resources to boost rally attendance.

The Haryana assembly elections will see voting on October 5 with results announced on October 8. As political campaigns intensify, labourers find temporary relief in rally participation amidst fluctuating construction work opportunities.