Andhra Pradesh - Nalgonda   

Counting debts after the feast is hosted!

By S. Ramu

NALGONDA, APRIL 23. Going by the flow of liquor, distribution of sops such as saris, drums, cricket kits and currency notes in the last week before the polling, there is a general perception that the candidates of the mainstream political parties pumped money they amassed to win the elections. However, in the process, many got into a debt trap, if we are to believe their side of the story.

A prominent Telugu Desam Party candidate said at a recent luncheon meeting that he had to borrow Rs.3 crores. Disenchanted with the "moneysuckers'' in the party, the leader nowadays is making remarks on politics quite philosophically: "See, I have worked hard to bring Krishna waters to every village. Instead of expressing gratitude for the works I have done, every leader expected money from me during canvassing. Nobody talked about the good works but demanded sops instead. I am totally upset.''

Another TDP candidate, a novice to the electoral arena, told his supporters that he wanted to mortgage his house to meet poll-related expenses. However, the high command had reportedly come to his rescue and took care of his expenses.

A Congress candidate reportedly doled out Rs.20 lakhs only to buy cricket kits to young voters. "I had to buy about 10,000 kits. Even after the elections children are asking me for cricket bats,'' he told this reporter during a private talk. Incidentally, this leader too planned to mortgage his house in Nalgonda to match his opponent's gifts galore.

Caught in the caste conundrum, a well-known leader also allegedly did sow a lot to reap the vote crop. He pulled up all his energies to outsmart his smart opponent. However, his opponent, a TDP candidate, was judicious when it came to spending money. "The high command offered me a meagre Rs.10 lakhs. It was a peanut,'' he said.

Another political novice was in the forefront in spending hefty amounts on liquor, his opponents openly said. Liquor stocks allegedly ordered by his poll managers were caught red-handed by activists of his rival party. The candidate's supporters are saying that their boss went bankrupt.

Though the parties adjusted the election expenses to some extent, many of the Opposition party leaders had to find out their own ways "to ensure an effective campaign.'' While some candidates sunk borewells, others gave away cash for construction of temples in villages.

According to reliable sources, two prominent leaders who were in the fray in two Assembly segments in the Miryalaguda Lok Sabha constituency "really'' got into debt. Some of their friends and relatives lent a helping hand for the two former MLAs. The lone BJP candidate also reportedly faced financial hardship while c andidates of the CPI and the CPI (M), who had to relay on contributions from sympathizers, stayed away from "unlimited spending.''

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