It is part of Indian electoral process' folklore. The night before the election is known for underhand tactics to woo voters despite
apparently strict Election Commission measures in place. Candidates distribute cash, liquor and garments to poor and illiterate voters to sway their votes. Monday was no different. Many candidates spent the day overseeing arrangements for giving goodies away. Close aides refused to disclose the location of such meetings and mediapersons were barred from most places.
A Congress worker said his candidate distributed cash and liquor in all the slums of constituency. "The slum-dwellers know all parties make empty promises and hence they are ready to vote for a person who provides instant gratification in the form of cash and liquor. Women want sarees and salwar suit pieces instead of liquor. However, if some candidate has really done something worthwhile for the slum-dwellers, then they remain loyal to him or her. They accept money and other things from others but vote for candidate of their choice."
A BJP leader said that cops were aware of what goes on but they are paid a price not to act. "Only those who do not know the tricks of the trade get caught. Sometimes the ruling party targets a particular person. In that case, cops do not turn a blind eye." Chintaman Iwnate, husband of mayor Maya Iwnate, was nabbed distributing liquor in a slum in a NMC by-election last year. He was carrying liquor in mayor's official vehicle.
The city also witnessed several small closed door meetings on Monday locally known as chuha baithaks. They are held by local leaders for passing on actual instructions to their workers. Second run leaders not happy with their candidate may tell their workers to ensure the votes actually go to someone else. Such meetings have influenced results in the past.
A NCP leader said that many party workers do not have the guts to campaign against the party or alliance candidate openly. Hence, they try to sabotage his prospects through chuha baithaks. These meetings are also used to consolidate votes of a particular caste. The community leaders gather at somebody's residence and decide the candidate for whom the community should vote. The candidates usually pay cash or do some big favour to sway the leaders in their favour. Many times a community openly supports one candidate but decides to support another at the last moment. The message is sent down the line through such meetings.
Sources in Congress and BJP said that many candidates would not sleep entire Monday night as they would continuously monitor distribution of goodies. They would also keep track of whether any party worker was holding clandestine meetings against them. They also would keep an eye on community leaders to find out whether they held any meeting to consolidate the community in a rival candidate's favour. Any such eventuality requires immediate counter measures, again in equally clandestine manner.