Hyderabad: With campaigning for GHMC elections coming to an end on Sunday and only a day left for polling on February 2, the candidates from major political parties are busy making last-ditch efforts to woo voters by pumping money, liquor and gifts.
Parties are focusing on bastis, youth associations, colony associations, apartments, women self-help groups etc. to secure bulk votes.
Parties are trying to woo youth associations with sports kits and gymnasium equipment, women groups with saris and kitchen utensils, colony and apartment associations with parties and dinners and promising to bear expenses incurred for etc.
With a tough fight between TRS and TDP-BJP combine in majority of the municipal divisions and a triangular fight involving the Congress in some other divisions, the candidates from these three major sides are going all out to secure bulk votes.
With the strict election code in place, the candidates are sending one or two close confidants to negotiate with people who can assure bulk votes by offering gifts, freebies, liquor, money etc.
While cash and liquor is being offered for voters in bastis, it is gifts and freebies in colonies and associations as candidates hesitate to offer Rs 500 or Rs 1,000 per vote to people residing there.
Secret meetings are being held with basti leaders to handover cash and liquor for distribution.
“A difference of 50 to 200 votes will make or mar the prospects of candidates in majority of the municipal divisions this time due to tough fight between five major parties. We don’t want to take any chances. An apartment with a minimum 10 flats has about 30 voters while a colony association has at least 200 votes. These bulk votes play a decisive role. Though there is no guarantee that all residents of a particular apartment or colony will vote for us if we offer gifts, the chances would be bright and we will be relieved of some mental tension with their assurance,” said a LB Nagar candidate.
With half of the 150 total candidates comprising women this time, there is more focus on luring women voters.
