Hyderabad: Some disgruntled voters refused to vote because they had not received the promised cash in exchange for their votes, shocking political parties even as some local leaders and cadre tried to pacify and persuade them to vote.
The election campaign allegedly involved political parties spending crores of rupees to lure Munugode voters with cash, gold, and liquor. However, some voters were seen arguing with the local TRS, Congress, and BJP leaders near several polling booths. They were enraged that political party agents only gave them Rs 1,000, Rs 2,000, and Rs 3,000 when they were promised a tola of gold, Rs 30,000, or Rs 40,000 per household with at least four voters during campaigning.
Surprisingly, women voters were seen arguing with agents more than men. "I received only Rs 3,000, despite the fact that our house has four votes. The same party gave Rs 3,000 to each voter in another lane. Why such discrimination? They should treat everyone equally,” a woman from Bangarigadda village said. Several women argued that men in their households were offered liquor and ‘biryani’ parties while they received nothing. Few voters were seen taking the TRS local leaders to task for giving just Rs 3,000 while BJP gave Rs 4,000 in Munugode town.
"On Wednesday night, BJP leaders offered us Rs 4,000 per vote, while the TRS offered only Rs 3,000. TRS leaders, in fact, promised Rs 5,000. We made it clear to the TRS leaders that we will not vote for the party. They distributed Rs 2,000 each again on Thursday morning, just before the polling. Only then did we decide to vote,” said a voter in Munugode town.
