Supporters reap benefits in poll season

SHILLONG: While the elections are an opportunity where candidates try to woo voters to elect them as their representatives, this also is the time when some supporters of the candidates make hay while the sun shines.
An MLA during an informal discussion with the reporters said that his supporters are the most important people who help them to win elections but many a time the MLA has to fulfill all their demands and a simple no from the MLA would mean making many people unhappy.
Recently, it was witnessed by some reporters that a supporter called up an MLA informing that he wanted to buy a shoe which he liked.
The MLA told reporters that he would have to buy the pair of shoes or else the supporter will be angry and most probably may also desert his camp to support others.
“During elections, we have to fulfill all their demands or else many times, they get angry and leave us,” the MLA said on condition of anonymity.
Another person who is a supporter of an independent MLA was also seen acting as supporter of another candidate in another constituency in Shillong.
When approached by the reporters as to how come he is supporting two candidates, he said with full candour that he has to get “few candidates during election” otherwise he just cannot reap much benefits.
Some other MLAs said that one of their topmost priorities during elections apart from seeking votes from the people is to keep their supporters happy and provide them each and everything which they ask for.
Meanwhile, in some meetings, it was seen that supporters of one particular candidate or party were also supporting other candidates from other political parties.