Maharashtra polls: Politicians wooing voters with cash, freebies

MUMBAI: Maharashtra is flush with money this election season, running into crores, even as politicians are chasing voters, trying to win their confidence and, more importantly, their vote.

After the grand alliances broke up, the state is in a state of flux, grappling with the imponderables and a confusing political future. With no clear winner or alliance in sight, politicians of all hues are wooing the electorate with cash, freebies --basically, whatever it takes to get their votes. In most parts of Maharashtra, the going rate for a vote is anywhere from Rs 500 per person to Rs 2,000.

Last week, for instance, the Election Commission (EC) got a whiff that Rs 900 was being distributed per person at Gangakhed constituency in Parbhani by different parties. The EC asked the Parbhani police to investigate the matter. This, of course, is the tip of the iceberg. And this is pretty much the story in every constituency in Maharashtra --large amounts of money being given to voters for winning them over. And with four major parties in the reckoning, trying their hardest to woo the electorate, voters aren't complaining one bit.

The rates vary according to constituencies, depending on who is contesting. For instance, in Bosri in Pimpri Chinchwad, the amount being distributed is 1,500 per voter. If you think that's too much, then in Aurangabad it is Rs 2,000 per voter.