Aspiring MLA and MP candidates seem to be coming up with “novel” techniques to ensure that the huge amounts spent on luring voters does not go down the drain. At a press meet organised on Sunday, city Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidates accused the traditional party candidates of stooping to a new low by forcing the voters to swear their loyalty to the candidates in return for cash or liquor.
The AAP members said that this practise is being employed openly without much action from the officials concerned. A. Sarada, social activist and Kukatpally Assembly candidate of AAP party accused the rival parties of using religious affiliations of voters to corrupt them. “In my constituency, leading parties are giving cash up to Rs 5,000 to voters. However, they do not trust the voters. At the time of giving money, the leaders are asking the voters to swear on Quran, Bible or Hindu gods and promise that they will only vote for them. I am shocked by these practises employed by the candidates and it reflects how low they are stooping to get a vote.”
Similarly, another AAP candidate has accused his rival candidates of forcing the voters to swear on their children and family members. Jaipal Reddy, AAP Assembly candidate from Qutbullahpur said, “In the slums and shanty settlements, political party candidates are paying up to Rs. 1,000 to every individual. In return, they are asking the head of the family to swear on their children. It is really sad that children and family members too are being dragged in this unethical practice.”
