Poll is big business for Kolkata traders.

Byline: Indo Asian News Service

From caps to vests, saris to hair clips, umbrellas to flashlights - almost everything has a party symbol on it these days. City traders are laughing all the way to the bank as campaigning heats up in West Bengal.

Traders in Burra Bazaar, one of the biggest wholesale markets in India, are doing brisk business in election gear for use in campaigning. Many have put aside their usual business and are dealing in poll paraphernalia to make a quick buck.

Mr Paras Gambhir of S P Textiles, which otherwise deals in blankets, said: "Summer is usually a lean time for our business. We did good business in 2009 (in the general election); …