Kadapa byelection: Political parties open money bags, distribute Rs 500 per voter

By Syed Akbar

Kadapa, May 4: With the curtains on electioneering to be down in the next two days for the crucial by poll to Kadapa lok sabha and Pulivendula assembly constituencies, political parties are vying with one another to distribute money to voters.

 According to sources, the political parties have almost completed money distribution work fearing that the last minute rush will invite trouble. The CRPF and other central forces will take control of the constituencies intensifying security checks in the next three days.

To avoid being caught money is being distributed clandestinely through local community or colony leaders. While a ruling party candidate is said to have distributed Rs 200 for voter his rival went a step ahead giving Rs 500 per vote. Also villagers are being dumped with liquor cases for distribution among men voters on daily basis. The police have intercepted several vehicles carrying liquor bottles. Hoodwinking the police liquor bottles are being supplied under the darkness of night.

 With electoral stakes quiet high contesting candidates are living no stone unturned to woo voters through money and liquors. Only on Tuesday night the police chased a lorry carrying 200 liquor cases from Jammalmadugu and intercepted it near Proddatur after a hot chase.

A new modus operandi being adopted by candidates is to supply liquor bottles in little quantities to avoid the security checks. Besides sarries, yellow towels and lungies for the voters the candidates are also keeping other family members happy by proving chocolates to children and hand fans and caps to beat the summer heat. To make voters remember their election symbols, candidates are also allegedly distributing kitchen utensils, (hastam), ceiling fans and other utility items in a few localities.

Raids by police have revealed that candidates are offering voters a variety of gifts besides money and liquor. Several cases have also been booked against some of the candidates.