In Tamil Nadu, political rallies are fuelled by biryani, but this year the sales is yet to pick up

In Tamil Nadu, political rallies are fuelled by biryani. Although sales are slower this year, the cadre’s favourite cooks are gearing up for assembly elections

“I am looking forward to the victory feast given by candidates who win the elections, and during such occasions I usually go by ela kanakku, where I charge ₹200 per head and serve the feast on banyan leaf,” says 53-year-old Basha bhai, who runs a biryani catering service based out of Mamallapuram. In Tamil Nadu, election season sees a dramatic rise in biryani sales as political parties place bulk orders for packets to distribute to the cadre, or even hire a master to prepare it at their meeting location. Running a biryani catering service near Mamallapuram for 18 years, 53-year-old Basha bhai is popular with political parties looking to arrange an economical feast. He is taken to the venue three hours before a meeting ends, which gives him and his team time to cook a fragrant Tamil Nadu style biryani. This not only provides audiences with a piping, hot meal after the meeting, but also ensures a rise in attendance as the scent of the biryani curls its way through the venue. “For wedding feasts, I use equal portions of meat and rice, but when it comes to a political party where there is a limitless crowd, I add slightly more rice just so that I can serve a dozen more,” he says. “There is never a compromise in quality. I always insist on using best quality basmati and meat.” To this end, “I would rather compromise and take lesser wages for myself and staff than make a poor quality biryani, be it election meeting or campaign or wedding.” Basha insists on taking raw materials to the venue instead of letting his client supply them, he states, adding that he always insists on being at the venue with raw materials, and will not let the party cadre supply them.