When it came to putting together his campaign, this VCK candidate wanted to challenge the typical practice of funding. While other politicians receive their funding from industrialists and businessmen, Aloor Shanavas wanted to see how much the public was on his side. And so he decided to crowdfund his campaign.
In ten days he has raised Rs.6 lakhs. “When I first thought of this, I wondered how many people are subject to the cash for votes sham – it makes a fool out of people just much as it makes a fool out of the candidate,” Aloor says. A native of Chennai, he will be contesting from Perambalur for the first time.
He kicked off his crowdfunding campaign by putting up a Facebook post calling for contributions to help him meet campaign expenses. It read
“I am not from an affluent family nor do I have a political background. Though my chances of winning are bright, funds remain a problem. I am taking on parties with big money power. Your help, even if it is just a rupee, will be of great help to me. Help me, my loved ones, he posted soon after announcing his candidature.”
Aloor is a known face, appearing on many TV debates and talk shows. His roots began in media and documentary filmmaking, but the plunge into politics happened 10 year ago. Entering the electoral waters for is a thrill in itself for him. “Everything from posters to the paint in party colours, people now know where their money is going, and that is why they have faith in me to know I will use this well,” he enthuses.
He calls the streets of Perambalur akin to “a desert safari I once saw in Dubai. There are no roads, no basic facilities and I aim to change that,” he says triumphantly. Asked how his fellow candidates responded to his crowdfunding efforts, he said, “They are not particularly happy, they find it odd that I am asking for money. But I am challenging the tradition of both ‘karrupu pannum’ (black money) and ‘sondha pannum’ (one’s own money)”
In a crowdfunding campaign, there are always incentives. In Aloor Shanavas’ campaign, the incentive, he says, is his win, “The gift I will give to the people is my win.”