In the run-up to the Nanjangud and Gundlupet bye-polls, the police found Rs 20 lakh cash in the car of Congress Leader and North West Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation Director Manoj Karjagi, who was campaigning along with other Congress leaders in Gundlupet.
The police found bundles of RS 2,000 notes in his car, which had a ’Government of Karnataka’ signboard.
The BJP, which tipped off the police, allege that a voters list was also found along with the money in the bureaucrat’s car.
The police, who detained Manoj for questioning, say that Manoj failed to give a convincing reply when asked about the source of the money.
He maintained that he was going to a resort in Bandipur and that the money was for paying for the lodging facilities there.
Meanwhile, BJP workers and leaders, who were campaigning in Gundlupet, staged a protest and accused the police of failure to act on another Congress leader being caught red-handed while distributing money to people before the election.
The BJP workers alleged that another Congress worker was caught while distributing Rs 4 lakh near Kelissur. They shouted slogans claiming that the police were turning a blind eye and enabling the Congress.
This incident came to light just a day after KPCC Women’s Wing President, Lakshmi Hebbalkar, was caught on camera, with a bundle of Rs 2,000 notes in hand.
Angered by the BJP’s statement, senior Congress leader, DK Shivakumar, lashed out at the saffron party claiming that “the BJP was resorting to cheap tricks as they know they will lose the election”.
“In the video, Lakshmi Hebbalkar is sitting amongst party workers, not the voters. There are hundreds of them in Gundlupet and someone has to pay for the food. They had decided to have a round of cold beverages in the afternoon. The BJP is misleading the people,” Shivakumar told media persons.
Meanwhile, the BJP has written to the Election Commission, claiming that the KPCC Women’s Wing President, Lakshmi Hebbalkar was trying to lure voters by distributing money.
“We have it on camera and we have requested the Election Commission to look into the issue. We have also requested the EC to provide Central Para Military Force protection at polling booths as the police have sided with the Congress,” said BJP state President, BS Yeddyurappa.