Wedding planners vexed by long polls

It is not just politicians who seem to be affected by long elections, wedding planners in Kolkata too are opposed to the idea as it puts a lots of restrictions while doing business especially in faraway areas.
According to wedding planners operating in eastern India, restrictions imposed by EC and local administration, 48 hours before the day of polling, creates problems including in transportatin and purchase of goods.
"If the marriage function is within the city, then there is no problem. But if the function is out of city limits, then we face lot of problems. Firstly, on movement of vehicles, then purchase of goods," said Subham, an official of Forever Wedding planners.

The country witnessed eight out of the nine-phase polls, longest in the history of India, West Bengal too saw four phases of elections for 25 seats since April 18. The final phase will be held on May 12 for 17 seats from the state.
The EC may be conducting the poll in so many phases in order to ensure smooth, free and fair polls, but wedding planners feel that due to restrictions, their business and marriage groups face lot of harassment, more so if the wedding is planned in the area where polls are to be held.
"Even the buses carrying the bridegroom party and his family members are stopped at every check point and searched. The police also creates problem over women wearing ornaments and cash as there are restrictions on carrying excessive cash and gold," Subham said.