Vote rate hits the roof in Kovur

NELLORE: A carnival atmosphere prevails at villages in Kovur constituency with byelections just three weeks away.Candidates of different political parties and their supporters are trying every means to woo voters.Despite the Election Commission limiting poll expenditure to `6 lakh, each party is preparing to spend nearly `20 crore.According to sources, major political parties in the fray are offering `1,000 per vote after obtaining an oath from voters at temples.Joint families with around 10 members each are hoping to get total `30,000 from the three major political parties.In some instances, candidates are promising to construct temples in return for all the votes in a village or offering to give certain amount for village development.This is particularly so in fishermen villages in Vidavaluru and Indukurpet mandals.Sources said YSRC and TDP are aggressive in the race.Though Congress candidate P Srinivasulu Reddy was doing a lot of leg work, he is not promising much.Political parties will be paying voters by depositing the promised amounts directly in their bank accounts, sources say, adding all those enrolled for NREGS work have bank accounts.Meanwhile, the excise department has set up 10 checkposts to prevent supply of liquor to voters by political parties.The police department too has set up eight checkposts in Kovur constituency.However, liquor is flowing freely and there is party mood in villages by nightfall.Excise superintendent G Narasimhulu said there was no question of liquor entering the constituency illegally as there are tight checks.Liquor is supplied based on last year February month’s indent--9,364 cases of IML and 4,234 cases of beer.Till 25th this month, 7,689 cases of IML and 4,848 cases of beer were issued, he said.