Bengaluru: Ind candidate's One Vote One Note' campaign nets Rs 66,000

Bengaluru: While its usually all about money and muscle power for major contestants in a poll, an independent candidate of Vijayanagar constituency, Ravi Krishna Reddy, is making waves with his ‘One Vote One Note’ campaign these elections. In a reversal of the usual buying of votes with goodies and cash, he is asking voters for money to fund his campaign. And he has the backing of Swaraj India national president, Yogendra Yadav, who personally campaigned for him on the streets of Jayanagar 4th block.

“I demand money from my voters ,but it is upto them how much they want to give me. Many have been generous and I am surprised that we managed to collect Rs. 66,000 in just two days. On the very first day we collected Rs. 65,000 and in just an hour on the second, Rs. 1,000,” discloses Mr Krishna, adding, “When I take money from the public to fund my campaign, I will be more morally accountable to them.”

The “One Vote One Note” campaign was first started decades ago by Socialist, Shantaveri Gopala Gowda, who was elected thrice to the Legislative Assembly in Karnataka. Many eagerly responded to the novel concept in the fifties and early 1960..

In Mr Reddy’s views his unique campaign will not only help people own their legislator, but also inspire others with a mission to help society , but without the means to do so, opt for it too.

He could be up against BJP MLA, B. N. Vijay Kumar , who is hoping to contest from Vijayanagara for the third time and Home Minister, Ramalinga Reddy’s daughter Sowmya. But the JD(S) may not field a candidate and back him instead as he is currently in talks with it, he reveals.