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‘Expectation’ of voters a major challenge to EC
With just a week left for the bypoll to RK Nagar constituency, cash distribution is the key talk in the area
By
migrator
migrator
Chennai
Several parties had learnt it that they would have to stretch beyond Rs 4,000 mark which was fixed last time and distributed per vote in the Constituency which drew national attention when the EC rescinded the bypoll citing large scale corruption during April.
Their inference is as such the voters, if given a similar sum, would not express their benevolence in casting their votes and the minimum expectant sum is arrived at Rs 5,000, which is a 20 per cent rise than the previous time.
For Muthuraja* (name changed), who works in a investment sector in Washermenpet, who admitted to having received cash during April, observed that there are indications of parties planning to ‘treat’ the electorate this time too.
“We were given Rs 4,000 per vote. The money came in handy for many of us and it helped us meet our immediate needs,” he said.
“It would also be tough this time as there are so many cameras around. Unlike last time, the restrictions are also aplenty. But still parties sneak cash into the constituency for their daily electioneering expense. When cars are stopped for screening, they switch to buses and bikes. On any given day, the participants in electioneering are paid between Rs 300 and Rs 500. While this goes on unabated, the cash-for-votes remains unexecuted so far,” he added.
His views are echoed by Lakshmi* (name changed) who said that their allegiance would remain for the money which they had received last time, if they did not get anything higher. “We got Rs 16,000 for myself and 3 other members. We would receive this time too, but they would have to increase the amount,” she said.
A wheeler-dealer, requesting anonymity, said that they had discreetly issued tokens to voters and made them collect money elsewhere in the city. “The same model could be emulated and it would not be a bad idea this time as well. While all players keep a close watch on contenders, the possibility of issuing even tokens appears remote. We will have to find a way, and we will eventually get it done, if tasked,” he said.
Wind in TTV’s favour: Pre-poll survey
A pre-poll survey conducted by People Studies led by Prof S Rajanayagam released on Wednesday predicted the sidelined AIADMK leader turned independent candidate TTV Dinakaran for the top spot with 35.5 per cent of respondents preferring him for the December 21 RK Nagar bypoll. The last spot is assigned to BJP candidate Karu Nagarajan who is predicted to garner about 1.5 per cent votes while respondents that chose NOTA fared at 4.2 per cent. The survey also features the ruling AIADMK candidate E Madhusudhan in the third spot with 21.3 per cent respondents favouring him while the DMK candidate Maruthu Ganesh is being favoured by 28.5 per cent to finish second. Pressure Cooker chosen by Dinakaran is the most recognised election symbol and the voters are also aware of the fact that ‘Hat’ allotted to him last time
in April is no longer his symbol.
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