Bellary: The eve of polling day saw Bellary MP, B Sreeramulu rush to Kolagallu village to offer prayers at a temple as he was reportedly anxious over rumours that voters of the Kolagallu gram panchayat, who had stood by him for years, were considering shifting their loyalty this Bellary (ST) bypoll.
Speaking to reporters, the BJP leader launched a scathing attack on energy minister D K Shivakumar, who has masterminded the Congress campaign in the constituency, accusing him of raining money on people to buy votes and using his muscle power to threaten them.
"Let hundreds of Shivakumars come here, but the people will not be swayed. Has he (DKS) built hospitals for the poor, roads for villages, or toilets for women in the constituency? Has he arranged marriages for young couples or responded to the grievances of the poor here? He has only come here with huge money bags to purchase votes," he charged.
Meanwhile, Mr Shivakumar shifted his base to a private hotel in Torangallu, 30 kms from Bellary, along with his brother and Kanakapura MP, D.K. Suresh and food and civil supplies minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao after the Election Commission asked 'outsiders' to leave the constituency.
Speaking to reporters, the minister said senior leaders of the party were keeping a hawk's eye on every locality in the constituency to make sure that every single vote was polled in favour of the Congress.
Even as Mr Sreeramulu and Mr Shivakumar clearly remained on edge, BJP in-charge for the bypoll, R Ashok took time out to enjoy the Hampi ruins, leaving all the nail biting anticipation to the two men.
