The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Gives us votes... also money to campaign

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Gives us votes... also money to campaign

Bageshree S.

They are making open appeals for donations to meet poll expenses

Chandrashekar Patil

Bangalore: There is nothing unusual about voters being wooed by candidates with money. Strict as the Election Commission may be about the code of conduct, rumours have it that some are even asking voters to pledge their identity cards for a few hundreds. But there are also a few odd ones in the fray among the candidates this time who are doing the exact opposite — making open appeals to people to donate money to meet the election expenses.

Chandrashekhar Patil, president of Kannada Sahitya Parishat, who has floated the Swabhimani Kannada Paksha, and is contesting from Chamrajnagar constituency, is one.

Mr. Patil, who writes by his pen name Champa, is known for his unsparingly scathing wit. But the appeal he has written to his well-wisher asking for financial and moral support is full of earnestness and humility. He writes that he decided to enter electoral politics directly this time because only a regional party can truly be concerned about the local people. He then goes on to say: “Elections are a matter of expenses. Send as much money as you can. I need the help of your money order, demand draft or cheque. I need help from your circle of friends too. You can send money in the form of money order, demand draft or cheque.”

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Patil said that this was strictly an appeal to his large circle of well wishers. “After all I have done mastariki (the job of a teacher) for 37 long years and have a huge shishya balaga (community of students),” he said. The response has been good, with people sending cheques for Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000, added Mr. Patil. While Mr. Patil has been making his appeals in the old world fashion through letters, Ravi Krishna Reddy, an IT professional who is contesting as an independent from Jayanagar, is doing the same through more advanced technology.

On his website, ravikrishnareddy.com, he says that his supporters can donate online if they are citizens of India and at least 18 years old. He promises his prospective benefactors: “All the donations will be accounted for and listed in this website. Please contact us immediately if they are not listed in due time.”

There are also appeals for help in kind. K. Venkatesh, a BSP candidate from Jayanagar, who holds a Limca record for having the most number of doctoral degrees (five in all), had sent out requests to his friends on SMS when the election process began. He asked if “anyone can help with a vehicle for 15 days” and provide some printing help. The SMS added: “Request only. Not to mistake.”

Mr. Venkatesh claims that he is now going on his campaign on a vehicle lent by a generous friend.

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