LUCKNOW: Once-sworn enemies, SP and BSP, have not just stitched together a grand alliance ahead of Lok Sabha polls , their flags too have merged in a political fibre — the united colours of red and blue with party symbols embossed on either side.A common flag has become a rage among SP and BSP supporters and this could be unprecedented in the history of gathbandhans with both parties even deciding to share party offices and hold joint rallies, going by grassroots-level meetings held in Allahabad early this week.“Samajwadi Party flags, with a cutout of Mayawati are up for grabs. Everybody now wants both netas on a common flag. So, we printed samples and this triggered a buzz,” said a shopkeeper near the SP office at Vikramaditya Marg.On left is the cutout of Mayawati and BSP symbol ‘elephant’, while the remaining half is occupied by Akhilesh and the his ‘cycle’ symbol.More than 2,000 flags have been sold and there is a massive demand for similar poll merchandise. A tin flag costs Rs 80, while the humble cloth flag is cheaper and is pegged at Rs 20. “Flags made from fabric are manufactured in Ahmedabad and Surat and the order reaches Lucknow in two months. However, tin flags are made locally and last long,” said another shopkeeper. Cashing in on the popularity of these flags, parties have also come out with special coffee mugs with cutouts of both SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati.With BJP bringing out ‘NaMo Again’ hoodies and merchandise in the market, SP and BSP have also printed special T-shirts with slogans ‘kaam bolta hai (work speaks for itself) to counter the saffron brigade campaign.Spelling a huge challenge for BJP, the alliance had in January announced an alliance for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh.However, a shopkeeper said common flags would be in demand only during the initial phase of campaigning. As campaigning peaks, neither SP nor BSP candidate would like to sport a common party flag fearing loss of votes.

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