BJP, Congress workers caught distributing cash in Karnataka
What's the story
Riding on issues of corruption, communalism and influence of towering leaders, Karnataka went into polls on Saturday at 7 AM. If the high-voltage campaigning was not enough, BJP and Congress workers, reportedly, distributed cash among voters to garner votes. While Congress workers gave Rs. 600, whereas, BJP workers were captured handing over Rs. 500 to voters outside Nalini Raghunatha Rao degree college polling booth.
Details
Cash for votes reported in other areas as well
At Ramagondanahalli polling booth, party workers were covertly distributing cash. The Hindu claimed party workers tried snatching their reporter's mobile phone, on being caught. At Shivajinagar in Bengaluru, voters were given Rs. 500 after they cast their votes. Akram Hassan, leader of Social Democratic Party of India, claimed voters were bribed with money on behalf of a candidate of a 'national' party.
Moving from cash?
Four arrested for distributing nose rings to women
The Kolar rural Police reportedly nabbed four persons for distributing nose rings to women. An investigation, in this case, is underway. In most cases of 'cash for votes', no formal complaint has been registered. To ensure a fair election and keep a strict vigil, around 520 companies of paramilitary forces like the CRPF, BSF and ITBP, were deployed in Karnataka.
Twitter Post
Groom and bride participate in the democracy's festival
#WATCH Groom Mallikarjun Gamangatti and bride Nikhita Jodi arrived at polling booth 191-A in Dharwad to cast their vote #KarnatakaElection2018 pic.twitter.com/AeTyf1mgcH
— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2018
Who'll win?
Siddaramaiah vs Yeddyurappa: Both leaders say victory will be theirs
Earlier in the day, BJP's CM candidate BS Yeddyurappa claimed his party will win 145-150 seats and that he will be sworn in as head of state on May 17. Later, Siddaramaiah called his opponent mentally unstable and added, "This Amit Shah is like a comedy show and Narendra Modi's image has drastically declined, his speeches are completely hollow. Therefore we are not worried."