New Delhi:  Its been a hectic 10 days for Ramkali and Laxmi who have trudged more than 100 km across Delhi, campaigning for the November 29 assembly elections.

No, they are not candidates but elephants roped in by the Bahujan Samaj Party, which hopes a live show of their party symbol will improve brand recall and translate into votes.

Walking halfway across the city from the banks of the river Yamuna to the temple colony of Chhatarpur is not easy for the beasts hired by BSP candidate Kanwar Singh Tanwar.

To reach the constituency on time, Ramkali and Laxmi have to leave their shelter around 5 am, while it is still dark. They then walk around the constituency nonstop for three hours. For their hard work, all they get is Rs. 1,200.

"We charge between Rs. 1,200-1,500 for three hours. If the place is very far, we ask for a little more," says Zulfikar, who owns three elephants and is busy trying to send them to different constituencies.

Tanwar, who is also the richest candidate in Delhi as per records submitted by him, has hired them twice in the past 10 days. Another BSP candidate Ajesh Yadav also sought their services to make a statement in his Badli constituency.

"We had hired elephants because that is the symbol of our party and this way people can register it easily," says Tanwar.

For the elephant owners, though the money doesnt add up to much, elections offer an opportunity that will make the difference between starvation and a good nights sleep.

"Though we charge Rs. 1,200 - Rs. 1,500, more than half the amount is spend on their daily upkeep," says Mehraz, another elephant owner. "We know we are making them walk such long distances, but we have little option because elephants are used only in elections or marriages," he adds, with Zulfikar seconding him.

But animal welfare activists are not amused. People for Animals chairperson Naresh Kumar Kadyan wants the Election Commission to intervene and prevent such abuse of the elephants. Kadyan, who has filed a PIL before the Jaipur bench of the Rajasthan high court against using elephants to play polo, says "it is very unfortunate that political parties are using elephants all across the country. People in power should be more sensitive to animals."

Source : DNA