TRICHY: Cracker traders in the city have been left in the cold this year with a dip in sales by as much as 50% just two days ahead of the festival of lights. Traders say usually 75% of the stock gets exhausted by this time and with the monsoon looming they are in a spot of bother.Multiple reasons have been offered for the poor response from customers. While farmers in delta districts have already been reeling under poverty due to failure of crops, online purchase of crackers is also being cited as a reason for low sales at outlets. Many AIADMK cadre say they are not in a mood to celebrate when party supremo and chief minister J Jayalalithaa is in hospital. Meanwhile, the salaried class, particularly those working in private companies, are clueless if they would get their bonus or salary before festival."Until our 'Amma' returns home we cannot think about Deepavali. From ministers to lower level functionaries, many are camping in Chennai. We have not purchased dress material even for our children. We strongly believe that the chief minister would return home before the festival", says NS Poobathi, former councilor of ward number 55 of the city corporation.A trader had stocked crackers worth 15 lakh in Gandhi Market area expecting good business during the festival as incessant rain had played spoilsport last year. However, he said though the sun was shining brightly now, sales were very poor and customers seemed uninterested.Over 85 cracker outlets have been established in the city a majority of which wore a deserted look till forenoon on Wednesday. "We expect good business, at least in the remaining two days", they added."Customers, particularly people from rural areas, are unable to spend much because of failure of crops in the delta region. They have also been facing drought for the last few years. Besides, the general public have cut down their purchases by up to 40%," Ve Govindarajulu , secretary, Tamil Nadu Traders Federation , told TOI.According to S Balaji, staff of a private bank who resides in RMS Colony, the priorities of the "festival crowd" have been changing. Youths preferred to make purchases mostly online. Some waited for new movies to be released."That leaves only the children who have started focusing on safety and environmental aspects thanks to the continuous awareness programme and mock drill conducted by Fire and Rescue Department."