"Money Factor, Pressure Tactics": Congress Heavyweight On Huge Poll Upset
NDTV
Jagadish Shettar: When asked how he was so confident before, he said the money factor can change anything.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, who jumped ship from the BJP right before the state polls after being denied a ticket, and predicted a huge victory for himself, today told news agency ANI that "money power and pressure tactics" led to his defeat from the Hubli-Dharwad Central assembly constituency. A Lingayat heavyweight, Mr Shettar lost to the BJP's Mahesh Tenginakai by over 34,000 votes but claimed his quitting the BJP and raising the pitch on the Lingayats helped the Congress in 20 to 25 seats.
He accused his rival of "distributing Rs 500, 1,000" to voters.
"In the last six elections, I have not at all used money power, never distributed money to voters. (This is the) First time that the BJP candidate has distributed Rs 500-1000 to voters," Mr Shettar told ANI.
Jagadish Shettar said he had been saying for a week that Congress would win 130 to 140 seats.
