Karnataka bypolls: Cong accuses BJP of distributing Rs 2,000 per vote, CM hits back

Bengaluru: The Congress in Karnataka on Thursday accused the ruling BJP of distributing Rs 2,000 per vote in the bypoll bound Sindagi and Hangal assembly segments, fearing defeat.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, rejecting the allegation, accused the Congress of having indulged in such activities, and claimed that love and trust of the people was BJP’s strength.

“As far as I know, a lot of money is being spent, the information that has spread there (constituencies) is that Rs 2,000 is being paid per vote,” Siddaramaiah said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, “on what basis will they (BJP) seek vote? other than money there is nothing for them, they can’t show any achievement. They could not manage Corona effectively, did not give proper compensation to those dead, the number of deaths itself is lies. In fact they indulged in corruption in Corona related purchases.” State Congress President D K Shivakumar too alleged that BJP was distributing Rs 2,000 per vote.

“It seems that the Chief Minister has got the intelligence report that they (BJP) will lose in both constituencies, so he has sent all the Ministers with bags of money and the money is getting distributed from the neighbouring constituency,” he said addressing the election campaign in Hangal.

Hitting out at Congress leaders for the allegation, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said, BJP was going to the election with the love and trust of the people, which is the party’s strength.

“D K Shivakumar, while in power, during bypolls to Kundgol, Gundlupet and Nanjangud- we have seen his experience with sacks (with money), he is now trying to put that allegation on us,” he said in Haveri.

Bypolls for the two seats will be held on October 30, while counting of votes will take place on November 2.

The by-elections have been necessitated as the seats fell vacant following the death of Sindagi JD(S) legislator M C Managuli and BJP’s C M Udasi from Hangal.