Gundata Gambling Auctions Stir Sankranti Politics
Despite repeated police warnings against cockfights, card games and Gundata, enforcement is often relaxed during the three days of Sankranti.
Kakinada:Auctions have begun for organising “Gundata’’ gambling games at cockfight sites as the Sankranti festival approaches, with local Telugu Desam and Jana Sena leaders accused of backing the operations to enrich themselves.
Gundata, a popular gambling game, provides lucrative income for organisers as well as cockfight operators who collect money from shareholders to set up stalls. At Karapa mandal headquarters, a resident of Gorripudi village secured Gundata rights for ₹54 lakh in auction. Sources said he earned nearly ₹1 crore from the game last year.
Similar auctions were held at N. Kothapalli in Uppalaguptam mandal for ₹35 lakh and at Cheyeeru village in Katrenikona mandal of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district for ₹23 lakh. At Panasapadu village in Samalkota mandal of Peddapuram constituency, Gundata was auctioned for ₹27 lakh among 18 organisers.
Tussles have emerged between YSRC and Telugu Desam leaders over the auctions. YSRC leaders complained of being sidelined, while a local TD leader assured Gundata organisers that enforcement officials would be kept at bay during the games. However, sources noted that police did not permit Gundata last year in Kakinada district, causing losses to organisers.
Despite repeated police warnings against cockfights, card games and Gundata, enforcement is often relaxed during the three days of Sankranti. Telugu Desam and Jana Sena leaders are reportedly keen to expand the games this year, viewing them as a means to consolidate support ahead of Panchayat and local body elections. Allegations have also surfaced that TD is not taking Jana Sena and BJP into confidence in auctioning the games and installing stalls.