MLAs in Bengaluru distribute expensive ‘gifts’ to woo voters ahead of elections

Among the popular gifts are pressure cookers, sarees and home appliances

Bengaluru

As the election season kicks in, but not the Model Code of Conduct yet, politicians cutting across party lines are trying to ply voters with expensive gifts that include cookers, sarees, home appliances and silver idols. Pressure cookers seem to be the most popular this season. Photographs of gifts being distributed and of politicians on the package have been circulated widely on social media.

The “gifts” season began in earnest with Sankranthi, the first festival of the year. Politicians not only distributed ellu bella and costly silk sarees but also arranged trips to pilgrimage centres. Many MLAs are organising local community and area festivals, and talent shows, holding several competitions and distributing expensive home appliances in the garb of prizes.

“They are bribing voters with expensive gifts,” said Mohan Dasari, State working president of Aam Aadmi Party. “Hebbal Congress MLA Byrathi Suresh distributed LED TVs, Chickpet MLA Uday Garudachar and C.V. Raman Nagar MLA S. Raghu, both from BJP, gave away cookers, and Congress MLA Ramalinga Reddy from BTM Layout distributed cookers and several home appliances. These are just some of the examples,” he said.

All four MLAs did not deny the distribution of gifts though they denied the scale as alleged by AAP when contacted by The Hindu.

AAP - Bengaluru has lodged a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka, over the issue. However, with the Model Code of Conduct yet to kick in, the Election Commission of India has little role, sources said.

Two Ministers from the city have also been distributing expensive gifts, alleged AAP.