Tamil Nadu polls: Refurbished campaign vehicles on a roll

Leaders of AIADMK and DMK have turned to refurbished election campaign vehicles to undertake whirlwind election campaigns. Coimbatore based Mechanical company Koyas Enterprises has been modifying the vehicles according to the requirement of the political leaders.

Coimbatore: Even as the political leaders gear up for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2020, their campaign vehicles are also being refurbished and are getting ready to roll. From high tech gadgets to hydraulic platforms to LED lights, the luxury vehicles go through multiple modifications to ensure that leaders have a smooth journey and can easily connect with the voters.

These vehicles play a significant role in electioneering and also help the politicians in seamless connectivity with their regular work. Tempo traveller and other similar vans have been converted as ‘mini mobile-homes’ having comfort required for electioneering by the leaders for long hours.

The AC vehicles are fitted with hydraulic platforms enabling leaders to address the people by standing from the van. It also has facilities such as sofa, public address system, bed, kitchen cabinets and micro oven, upholstery, mini-refrigerator, mini table, focus LED light, a shower and a toilet. The custom-built tempo travellers have space enabling party leaders to conduct small meetings with their functionaries. Provisions of air suspension and extra battery are also provided.

Prominent leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties in the state like Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisamy and DMK Chief MK Stalin have already kicked started their election campaign and have launched their refurbished vehicles. However, such luxury vehicles have also been used in the past by former CMs Jayalalithaa and M Karunanidhi during their election campaigns.

Coimbatore based Mechanical company Koyas Enterprises has been modifying the vehicles according to the requirement of the political leaders.

This helps the politicians to address a large number of people and helps them to connect with the party functionaries, family members and regular work.

P V Mohammed Riaz of Koyas Enterprises said: “Initially, we were altering seats in cars. But now, we are engaged in doing small changes in vehicles used by leaders for campaigning”.

"Subsequently, we received orders for making custom made vehicles for campaign purposes. And when we modified the vehicles satisfying their requirements, orders started pouring in. The customers gave us new tempo traveller vans for refurbishing and they are satisfied with our work," he added.

"The customers hand over the vehicle well in advance as it takes two to three months to modify the vehicle. We have delivered the custom made campaign vehicles to various leaders, VVIPs, star campaigners in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Currently, we are engaged in altering the vehicles to leaders in Tamil Nadu," Mohammed Riaz added.

According to the Election Commission, the external modification of vehicles including the fitting of Loudspeaker thereon would be subject to the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act/Rules as well as any other Local Act/Rules. Vehicles with modifications and special campaign vehicles like Video Rath etc. can be used only after obtaining the requisite permission from the competent authorities under the Motor Vehicles Act.