Cases of wooing voters with cash, liquor and gifts were reported from various parts of Karnataka on the eve of urban local body (ULB) elections scheduled for Thursday in 4,967 wards.
In Bellary district, teams enforcing the model code of conduct and police raided various places and seized Rs. 2.39 lakh in cash, fans (the symbol of BSR Congress led by the former minister B. Sriramulu) worth Rs. 60,000, saris and liquor. Two persons were arrested.
In Hospet city, a shop was raided and fans of various kinds, valued at Rs. 60,000, were seized, besides BSR Congress pamphlets. The raids were conducted based on information that fans were being distributed to people who had coupons.
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Three cases of violation of model code of conduct were registered by the Tumkur district police in connection with ULB elections, including a case of trying to kidnap a Bharatiya Janata Party candidate, Srinivas, contesting for a ward of Tumkur City Municipal Council. Cases were registered for arranging feasts and distributing liquor.
At Chitradurga, Holalkere taluk election officer Soujanya conducted raids at the Karnataka Janata Party (KJP) taluk office on Wednesday and seized a car and Rs. 4 lakh meant for distribution among voters. The car allegedly belonged to the former Holalkere MLA M. Chandrappa. A case has been registered against the former legislator.
In Mandya, a person was arrested on Wednesday for carrying Rs. 38,530 for distribution among voters. Since February 15 till Wednesday evening, Excise Department and Police have together conducted 273 raids and booked 84 cases in the district. On Monday alone, 27 cases were booked.
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In Shimoga, a person carrying Rs. 33,000 was arrested at the APMC yard on the suspicion that he was carrying it for distribution among voters. KJP pamphlets were recovered from the vehicle. Liquor worth Rs. 10,000 was seized from a house at Malavagoppa area in Shimoga city.