Auto Drivers Turn Campaigners

Visakhapatnam: The cities Auto Drivers have become campaigners of sorts for the various political parties in the fray. With over 50,000 autos plying within the city, commuters who use autos on a daily bases, are facing a campaign of a different kind.

Even if the choices and leanings of the drivers are different, they start off with one simple question. "Who do you think will win?" right after, they ask them, "Who are you going to vote for?" Most times people do answer their questions and get into a discussion on what they think should happen.

Taking advantage of this, the auto drivers take off into a campaign mode, talking about a political outfit they like or prefer and why.

“The reason is very simple. Autowallahs have a varied customer base. They have access to people of all classes and age groups, which helps them in analysing the political mood.

They are also politically very sensitive because they belong to an economically sensitive section of the population,” observed Sheikh Rehman, district general secretary, AITUC auto union.

Rehman added that many of the auto-rickshaw drivers in Visakhapatnam are from various districts north of the Godavari and though they are settlers in the city, they keep a keen eye on what is happening in their native constituencies, though they may no longer vote there.

Talking to TOI, K Satyanarayana, popularly referred to as Swami in the union said, “Most of us keep a keen watch on what the political parties promise us. Their manifestos mean a lot, more importantly; we have personal contact with local representatives, who help carry our voice.”

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