I look at how citizens consciously or unconsciously elicit emotion and affective responses, and the effect these have on MC mobilization. The fact that these responses are sometimes involuntary suggests that we should look beyond the practical and calculative motivations of city councilors and examine how they are forced and motivated to fulfill the requests of certain citizens. but others are not. The power to influence and the ways to do so are as follows. In Dehradun, India, Municipal Councilors (MCs) are the" known and well-known faces of the state", a vital first point of contact for individuals seeking government benefits. The way MCs respond abundantly to constituent requests is thought to be a large part of why government welfare and services are so unevenly distributed. This article aims to contribute to our knowledge of civil rights by highlighting the importance of influence and emotion in the structure of interactions between MCs and'voters'.