Now 'elect' the best for lunch too: RaGa Basket or NaMo Thali

Allahabad, March 12: With the Lok Sabha election 2014 in our mind always, a hot, spicy discussion over lunch or tea time would not be a bad idea after all. The businessmen in Allahabad are cashing on this very sentiment of the people to enhance trade. In fact, it is rather innovative how they do that.

For instance, a cold drink seller has installed mascots of Rahul Gandhi, Narendra Modi and Arvind Kejriwal at his shop so that he could flush down the people with a cola when the discussion 'heats' up. In fact, the owner Ravi Yadav stores the cold drinks in the body of these mascots (made of paper pulp) and has placed the party symbol in their hands.

"Election ka mahaul hai aur maine socha ki grahak aayen, ruken aur jab tak thanda cold drink piyen, apne leaders par charcha karen (this is elections time and my idea was to invite customers who would stay for a while and till the time they finish their cold drink, they will debate on the leader of their choice)," said Yadav.

Similarly, a restaurant owner in Civil Lines in Allahabad has dedicated his menu card to the leaders hitting the headlines. Named after Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and BJP's Prime Ministrial candidate Narendra Modi, the menu is part of the 'Mission May 2014' special menu.

A lot really lies in the name. The Raga Basket, something that you can have for breakfast or evening snack, is a colourful palatte comprising vada, idly and 2 paratha rolls. Not just that, the chutney spots an electric tricolour of the Congress party logo. The NaMo Thali, however, is a splendid spread comprising some of the delicacies of Gujarat.

"We will be serving two pieces each of vada and idly along with two paranthas in the RaGa Basket at a price of Rs 90. Those opting for the NaMo Thali will get a combination of dal, two vegetables, a plate of jeera rice, missi roti, raita, khakra and gulab jamun at a price of Rs 110," said Raju Jaiswal, the owner of the restaurant Tandoor.

"Of course, the raita in the NaMo thali is saffron, representing the party colour," he further added.

If that is not election fever, what is?

OneIndia News