MLA doling out loans to get son elected?

TUMAKURU: Janata Dal(S) legislators have filed a complaint with Deputy Commissioner K.P. Mohan Raj, who is also the election officer for the Council polls, alleging Madhugiri MLA K.N. Rajanna has misused his post as president of the District Central Cooperative (DCC) Bank to tilt votes in favour of his son, R. Rajendra.

The JD(S) legislators including former ministers B. Satyanarayana and D. Nagarajaiah alleged that Mr Rajanna had promised Rs 1 lakh loan from DCC Bank to each member of the local bodies who are voters in this election. Gubbi JD(S) MLA S.R. Srinivas, who is also vice president of the bank, claimed that Rajanna has been misusing his power to lure voters in favour of his son Rajendra, the Congress candidate.

There are allegations that Rajanna has been collecting the record of rights, tenancy and crop details through his supporters to offer loans to voters. Meanwhile former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said that though the Congress is involved in luring voters through various means, JD(S) candidate BEML Kantharaj would bag the Tumakuru seat.

Mr Rajanna has denied the allegations. “I have implemented several development works and have been in constant touch with people of the district. I am confident this will fetch good results for my son”.

In the wake of money reportedly changing hands during the Council elections, the Deputy Commissioner instructed banks to keep a vigil on transactions of over Rs 1 lakh and report it to him.