Parties make last-ditch efforts to woo voters

Cash, liquor and valuables seized during raids

  Political parties continued to their last-ditch effort to woo voters on the penultimate day of the civic polls. Cash and valuables allegedly meant for enticing voters were seized at several places across the State on Wednesday.

The team for enforcing model code of conduct seized Rs 2.42 lakh in cash from the workers of several political parties during raids in Bellary. A sum of Rs 1.86 lakh being transported by a two-wheeler was seized near Agadi Mareppa Colony in the early morning hours of Wednesday.

Two men who were transporting the cash fled the spot in another vehicle. Two Congress workers were arrested in connection with the incident.

Huge quantity of liquor was also seized during raids at various locations.

Fan coupons

Poll officials seized 53 fans kept at an electrical shop and allegedly meant for voters were seized in Hospet. It is said the workers of BSR Congress had issued coupons at the doorsteps of the voters asking them to obtain a fan by producing the coupons at the electrical shop.

On getting information of the violation, a team headed by municipal commissioner K Rangaswamy raided the electrical shop and seized the fans. A case has been registered against the owner of the electrical shop.

Cash found

Cash amounting to Rs four lakh was found on the premises of a party office in Holalkere, Chitradurga district.

According to tahsildar Sowjanya, Congress workers suspected there might be cash in the car of former legislator M Chandrappa, parked on the office premises.

A tussle ensued between the Congress and Karnataka Janata Party workers over the allegation. However, no cash was found in the car, but was later found on the office premises, she said.

Candidates held

Shivananda, a Congress candidate in Belur, Hassan district, was arrested on charges of alluring voters. Six liters of liquor and Rs 40,500 in cash was seized from the car parked near Channakeshavaswamy temple in Belur. Similarly, Neelakanta, a candidate for the Hassan City Municipal Council poll was also arrested on charges of violating model code of conduct.