Has BS Yeddyurappa blotted his copybook?

Mysuru: With voting in the clash of titans at Nanjangud and Gundllupet set to commence 7 am on Sunday, the role of money resurfaced with the Election Commission ordering a probe against state BJP chief B.S. Yeddyurappa for giving Rs one lakh to the widow of a farmer who committed suicide in Voddana Hosahalli, a village in Gundlupet constituency, hours before the curtains came down on electioneering, on Friday.

A video grab showed Mr Yeddyurappa handing over cash to the widow of farmer Chikkamada Shetty, prompting the ruling Congress to lodge a complaint with Chief Electoral Officer Anil Kumar Jha.  "Based on a complaint given by the Congress, I have asked the deputy commissioner to get it inquired," Mr Jha told Deccan Chronicle. When asked whether it would tantamount to violation of the model code of conduct, Mr Jha said: "I have not seen it. The Congress party has said so in its petition. Only after an inquiry we will come to know about the nature of violation."

Mr Yeddyurappa's gesture has proved a source of embarrassment for his party colleagues who complained to the Election Commission against state Mahila Congress president Laxmi Hebbalkar with a video footage of her handing over cash to a family in Annooru Keri in Gundlupet two days ago.  

Meanwhile, with poll-eve temperature soaring in both constituencies and rival parties lodging complaints and counter-complaints, police officers of Mysuru and Chamarajnagar enhanced security measures and intensified checking of vehicles for cash, liquor or goodies.  Around 4.5 lakh voters are expected to cast their vote these bypolls, which will decide the fate of former minister, V. Srinivas Prasad, who has made it a matter of prestige to win from Nanjangud constituency after quitting  the Congress in protest over being dropped from the Cabinet by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, and joining the BJP. The Congress is banking on Mr Kalale Keshavamurthy, who left the JDS to join the party.

In Gundlupet, the Congress is fighting to retain the seat, which fell vacant after the death of minister, H C Mahadevprasad, by fielding his widow, Geetha, hoping the sympathy factor will do the trick for it. The BJP has countered it with its candidate, K R Niranjankumar, who lost twice to Mr Mahadev Prasad in Assembly polls in 2008 and 2013.