Darsi: Purchase of essentials go up with note-for-vote cash
10 May 2014 9:36 AM IST10 May 2014 9:36 AM IST
Candidates have distributed Rs 1,500 per vote along with saris, liquor and gifts
Picture for representational purpose only. (Photo: DC archives)
Ongole: Traders in Darsi could not have been happier for customers are flocking to their stores for the past two days to purchase domestic goods and other essentials. This buying spree is a result of cash distributed by candidates in the polls to lure voters.
Darsi is the main Assembly constituency in Prakasam district where two wealthy granite tycoons contesting on the Telugu Desam and the YSR Congress tickets have splurged huge amounts on voters.
Granite tycoon and former MLC Siddha Raghava Rao and sitting MLA and granite trader, Buchepalli Sivaprasad Reddy contested as TD and YSRC candidates, respectively, for the Darsi seat.
According to confirmed reports, both the candidates have distributed Rs 1,500 per vote along with saris, liquor and gifts. According to reports, transactions to the tune of Rs 25 crore took place on May 8 and 9.
An electronic goods showroom owner, P. Bhaskar Rao, informed that they have sold 50 TVs, 50 air coolers, 30 refrigerators, cookers and other household items in these two days.
Mr Bhaskar added that every customer carried Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes for purchases and many thanked the elections which provided them with the much-needed cash.
A woman of Darsi, on condition of anonymity, admitted that taking money for voting is immoral but confessed to having accepted Rs 15,000 in exchange for five votes from their family from both the party candidates.
The woman said she had purchased a refrigerator with Rs 9,000 and ear hangings worth Rs 3000 for her daughter and kitchen utensils worth Rs 2,000. She said many poor families, like hers, benefited in the just-concluded election at Darsi.
( Source : dc )
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