File image of crowd at a rally.

VIJAYAWADA: Finding daily labourers is a big problem in the city as the political parties intensified their campaigns , expecting the model code of conduct for 2019 general elections in the coming week.

Around 3,000 daily labourers are participating in the rallies and padayatras, which are being conducted by the political parties.

Small and medium industries in Jawahar Autonagar in the city pay Rs 500 to Rs 700 to daily wagers per day. With their work hours ranging from eight to 12 hours per day, the daily workers are assembling in the political parties.

“We are unable to handle orders due to the shortage of labourers. This is a common problem in every election season as as political parties offer a huge amount of money to these people. We are losing orders consequently,” said KM Narayana Rao who runs a rubber manufacturing unit.

Political parties are appointing agents in slum areas across the city to mobilise the crowd to participate in their rallies.

“Around 2,000 laborers are participating in the political rallies and politicians are spending huge money to engage them. It becomes a big task for us to mobilise the crowd as labourers are demanding Rs 500 to participate in a three-hour rally,” said M Arjuna Naidu, a coordinator.

Women and senior citizens play a major role in the political rallies as they come for a lesser wage.

Some labourers are inviting their relatives and family members from their native villages to participate in the political rallies.

“We are not hopeful about agricultural works and this is making us migrate to cities for works. We have come all the way from Srikakulam to participate in the political rallies as we are able to get a good wage,” said Poli Naidu, a migrant from Palasa of Srikakulam district .

“We are earning double wages by participating in two different rallies organised by politicians on the same day,” he said.

