TIRUPATI: With the general elections just a few months away, political parties and candidates are running from pillar to post trying to mobilise the huge amounts of money required for election campaigning. The challenge is the time crunch every party is facing.
As the stage is set for the electoral battle, it was expected that money and liquor will flow across the State. But the question before the candidates and political parties is about how much to be mobilised and where to use the money muscle.
“Our party legislator has mortgaged his assets to local pawn brokers at a high rate of interest. In the earlier election also, he did the same but later managed to release them. It costs nearly Rs 30,000 per day to go for election campaigning. We have to spend money for vehicles, food and beverages for the cadre, banners and advertisements, etc. It’s not an easy thing to go for election without money”, close aide of a sitting legislator said on condition of anonymity.
However, it is evident that money plays a key role in most elections across the world. In India it is widely believed that voters, especially the poor, can be easily wooed with cash, liquor, saris, and many other such goodies.
Meanwhile, over Rs 1.01 crore in cash was seized from a mini goods carrier here late on Wednesday amidst restrictions enforced under the model code of conduct for the coming Lok Sabha elections.
The mini goods carrier was intercepted at the toll plaza near Vadamalpet in Chittoor district by the AE housing and flying squad leader, Damodar Raju and Vadamalpet SI Nagendra Babu at around 11 pm. Cash amounting up to Rs 1,01,91,400 was seized and two persons were taken into custody. They also confiscated sports kits that were being carted to the districts from Tamil Nadu.
