Elections are no more the time when party offices offer a tempting platter of politics and lavish meals.

With the Election Commission having issued a price chart for every item purchased for electioneering (See chart) and a strict vigil being kept on poll expenditure, parties have massively cut down on canvassing expenses, especially when it comes to feeding party workers. 

Deliberating on the procedure followed in fixing the price-list of eatables, additional chief electoral officer R. Laxmanan told The Telegraph: “The district election offices, in consultation with different political parties, fix rates of various edibles and a chart regarding the same is prepared after notification of polls in every district. The same procedure has been followed this time, too, and steps are afoot to ensure specified prices are adhered to.”

Patna district magistrate-cum-election officer Pratima S. Verma said: “The price list of around 150 food items has been prepared and circulated to returning officers as well as different political parties.”

Control on food expenses has led political parties to massively cut down on canvassing expenses. A new canteen has come up at the BJP’s party headquarters on Beer Chand Patel Marg but nothing is free here. Rates are subsidised, though. At the old bhandara (kitchen) at the BJP office, meals — breakfast to dinner — are serves to around 300 people daily. This food is included under expenditure but is not monitored by district election office. But the price-list and curbs come into play if the food cooked at the party office is to be consumed by supporters of a candidate in his or her constituency.

Not surprising then that candidates travelling across the length and breadth of their constituencies are not offering food to their supporters. 

“I don’t offer any food to my supporters while campaigning. They join the campaign trail after having breakfast at their homes. They even take dinner after returning to their homes,” said Sunil Kumar Pintu, the BJP candidate from Sitamarhi.
“While there isn’t much restriction on the food prepared at the party office, candidates are keeping a tab on expenses. The limit on total expenses by a single candidate is Rs 28 lakh,” said Ashok Bhatt, the BJP’s state media in-charge.

Even at election meetings, tea, samosas, groundnuts and beaten rice have replaced lavish snacks like chicken and mutton biryani.

A senior JDU leader told The Telegraph on condition of anonymity: “Good food was one of the reasons why grassroots-level workers frequented party offices and election rallies. But all this has changed drastically since the 2010 Assembly elections. Many such luxuries are being curtailed to stay within the spending limit set by the Election Commission (EC).”

Wine shop owners are equally disappointed. “We used to do brisk business during poll season. Sale of branded and premier liquor used to shoot up. But there is hardly any rise in liquor sale these days,” said Suresh Kumar, manager of Imperial Wines on Boring Road.