Candidates in last-minute dash to woo voters

​Hyderabad: Political parties in the State determined to woo voters till the last minute are taking various measures whilst allegations that both the ruling and opposition parties have allegedly offered cash to voters.

All the political parties are now depending on booth-level committee party activists as they are direct link between the candidate and voters. These booth level activists increase the voting percentage by making the voters come to the polling booth. The candidates offer money to these booth-vlevel activists. In some constituencies, the party leaders were making calls and sending messages to voters.

According to sources Rs 500 to Rs 2,500 are being distributed to the voters in various constituencies in the city. In slums, the voters are directly given money and also offered liquor. The party candidates are also targeting ‘basti’ voters, castes, women self-help groups etc. One of the candidates in Nampally offered to provide tent house items to voters in bastis. Another candidate in Secunderabad distributed money to self-help groups.

The party leaders are also keeping a close watch on the movements of their opponents. There were clashes between the TRS and the Congress activists in Serilingampally assembly constituency as rumours of cash distribution made rounds. Police had to intervene and disburse the crowd. Police seized Rs 50 lakh from a follower of the Congress party candidate from Cantonment. Similarly, police seized Rs 40 lakh from a leader belonging to the TDP in Gachibowli.

The TRS leaders on Thursday lodged complaint with the Election Commission alleging that the TDP leaders from Andhra Pradesh were camping in Kukatpally, Serilingampally, Khammam and other constituencies distributing money to the voters on behalf of the People’s Front candidates. The TRS election coordination committee member Dande Vithal alleged that TDP leader Jupudi Prabhakar Rao and his followers were caught spending money at Kukatpally. He said that during the last one week, the Kutami leaders were caught with money.

The TRS leader urged the EC to take steps to send the outsiders from the constituency since they were involved in election malpractices. They also urged the CEO to increase additional forces for keeping strong vigil even on the election day.