Weeks before a billion Indians vote, political merchandise sales pick up

FILE PHOTO: Supporters of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend an election campaign rally in Meerut, India, March 31, 2024. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis/File Photo

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Weeks before India heads into a two-month-long election with nearly a billion voters, political party merchandise and flag makers are expanding operations and working overtime to meet a surge in demand.

Ahead of the first voting day of the seven-phase election on April 19, garment makers are temporarily converting factories where they usually make saris into production hubs for election flags and banners.