Days after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi stirred a controversy with his “ ₹6,000 to each voter” remark, Congress alleged that the legislator is expected to spend ₹50 crore for the upcoming assembly election in May and urged the Election Commission of India and the Income Tax department to take a note of his statement.
Jarkiholi stirred a political controversy after he said he would “give ₹6,000 to each voter” before the state assembly elections due in May. Jarkiholi was speaking at a rally organised by his supporters in Sulebavi village in Belagavi Rural constituency on Friday. The remark came during his attack on Congress MLA Lakshmi Hebbalkar, who represents the area.
“Jarkiholi, who has been representing the Gokak constituency for five successive terms, spent ₹500 to ₹2,000 to buy a vote in his constituency. However, with the changed political scenario, he has to spend ₹6,000 per vote,” Congress said.
At a news conference, quoting his speech at Sulebhavi village in Lakshmi’s constituency last week, Ashok Pujari, who lost to Jarkiholi from Gokak constituency in four elections, said Belagavi Rural and Gokak constituencies have about 3 lakh voters.
“If he gives gifts worth ₹6,000 to each voter, it comes to nearing about 2 crores, and he also announced spending an additional ₹10 crore to defeat Lakshmi. Overall, Jarkiholi is expected to spend ₹50 crore for his victory as well for the defeat of Lakshmi,” Pujari said.
Pujari said Jarkiholi won the election by distributing money, food, liquor, muscle power and threatening people’s support to his rival candidates.
Pujari, who contested against Jarkiholi from BJP in the 2018 election, said he and his party workers caught about 100 Congress workers distributing cash of ₹2,000 to each voter on election day at Durga temple and handed over them to police and Gokak tahasildar.
Pujari said the Gokak constituency would witness a drastic change if the fair election was held, and people waiting for a change would breathe a sigh of relief if Election Commission followed its guidelines.
Responding to Pujari’s allegations, BJP MLA Sanjay Patil said Jarkiholi’s statement should not be taken seriously as he emotionally delivered the speech in a public meeting.
“The Income Tax department is closely watching the political development as well the speeches of the politicians. It will take its decision. However, the video recording of his speech will be forwarded to party state president Naleen Kumar Kateel who will take the next decision,” Patil said.
“Allegation that Jarkiholi winning the previous election by paying sum between ₹500 to ₹2,000 were false and far away from truth, clarified Sanjay Patil. The election commission would have taken action If Jarkiholi was traced purchased votes for money. Jarkiholi is one of the senior members of the assembly who knows better his responsibilities and legislative laws,” he added.
