Rajbiraj, September 11 As the date for the third round of local elections draws close, every nook and corner of Saptari, including marketplaces, chowks and tea-shops, are draped in colourful flags of political parties. One can see dozens of flags of different political parties fluttering at the top of the houses, shops and other buildings. While religious places and electric poles have become colourful with party flags, vehicles are decked with flamboyant emblems. “Maybe it’s the easiest means of publicity; leaders come and stick their flags. It was only one flag at first on my rickshaw; now there are many,” said Indradev Yadav, an electric rickshaw driver of Rajbiraj. Meanwhile, the increasing use of flags has brought good fortune to drapers, tailors and painters. “So far, I have painted 15,000 flags; there is an additional order for 15,000 more flags,” he said, adding, he is working till late night to meet the deadline. Pariyar Tailor’s operator Raju Pariyar said he was happy to see sudden boom in his business. “We’ve made 16,000 flags already, and there is an order of 10,000 more. As there is a lot of work, everyone in my family is in it now,” he said. Besides, the elections have brought good fortune to tea-shops, hotels and the press, among others.