In a ridiculously funny incident in Telangana, according to a Times Now report, the husband of a former Congress leader Uppu Hymavathi went back to voters demanding to return the cash disbursed by the couple before the elections.
As reported by Times Now, the candidate from a ward in Telangana managed to get only 24 votes and suffered defeat in the local ward elections, following which her husband Prabhakar decided to do something bizarre. He demanded the voters to return the money distributed by the couple. The incident happened in Suryapet in Telangana.
A video of the incident was also recorded in which the husband of defeated TRS candidate, Uppu Hymavathi, can be seen first requesting and then demanding voters to return the money as despite taking the money they did not vote for his wife in the recently concluded local ward elections. According to the Times Now report, Rs 500-700 cash was disbursed among the voters. The report further states that villagers finally came together to drove him away.
Although the incident is funny and bizarre, it also shows the harsh reality of the rampant practice of cash for votes in local elections. The outcome doesn’t matter to those who sell their votes for cash, they definitely go shopping once the election concludes. The distribution of money by candidates plays a crucial role in determining the voting choice of the people. Any candidate capable of offering more amount cash than his rival is likely to get more votes and win the elections. The same practice is employed at national and state level elections. Not just cash, but liquor and biryani are also offered a night before the voting.
In Telangana alone only, the Election Commission before the 2018 state assembly elections, seized Rs. 137 crore, including Rs. 125 crore in cash. The Telangana Chief Electoral Officer Rajath Kumar had said, “Apart from cash, over 10 lakh litres of liquor was seized across the state over the last one month, besides unaccounted gold and silver ornaments and other material apparently meant for luring voters.” According to a Hindustan Times report, an election official on the condition of anonymity claimed that what was seized was not even 10% of what is being spent by the political parties to seek the support of the voters. He also said, “Almost all political parties have been splurging money heavily to win the keenly contested elections. For the last two days, money has been flowing unabashedly.” The official also added, “While most of the candidates use hawala routes to transport money through business houses, jewellers and wholesale dealers, others are carrying money discreetly in vehicles.” Even ambulance and delivery boys working for various courier companies and food suppliers were also employed by the political parties to send money in different parts of the state.
During 2014 Lok Sabha elections, till 12 May, the EC seized total Rs. 331 crore. In the same period, total 225 lakh litres liquor and 1.85 lakh drugs were seized. Cash-for-votes is a serious problem. In fact, it is a menace and presence of such a practice is not healthy for the democracy.
