From free butter dosa to beer: Bengaluru businesses boost voter turnout

In Bengaluru, businesses are rallying to encourage voter turnout in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections through enticing offers. With over 1 crore registered voters in the IT hub of India, establishments are seizing the opportunity to boost civic engagement by offering free food and beverages to voters on polling day. Nisarga Grand Hotel on Nrupatunga Road, for instance, enticed voters with promises of complimentary benne (butter) dosa, ghee rice, and beverages upon showing their inked fingers, sparking a long queue outside its premises. Similarly, Deck of Brews in Bellandur is luring voters with free mugs of beer and discounts on April 27 and 28, while SOCIAL chain of pubs is extending a 20% discount on meals for a week to guests with inked fingers.

Beyond eateries and pubs, Rapido, a bike-taxi aggregator, is facilitating voter access by offering complimentary rides to physically challenged and senior citizen voters in Bengaluru. Pavan Guntupalli, Rapido's co-founder, emphasizes the importance of ensuring equitable access for all voters to exercise their democratic rights. Additionally, the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation is extending metro services on April 26, allowing voters more time to travel to and from polling stations across 14 constituencies participating in the second phase of Lok Sabha elections. These efforts by businesses aim to foster greater participation in the democratic process and empower citizens to exercise their right to vote.

Long queues were seen at Nisarga Grand Hotel on Nrupathunga Road in Bengaluru, which is offering free benne khali dosa, ghee laddu, and juice on April 26 to voters who display their inked fingers as proof of voting. https://t.co/l7uewY0Odo pic.twitter.com/XpeNwaAONk

— ChristinMathewPhilip (@ChristinMP_) April 26, 2024