Gone are the days when netas would woo voters, especially those in remote villages, with a Rs 100 note along with a biryani packet and a cheap liquor bottle. Today’s voter will not settle for anything less than branded liquor along with a Rs 500 note to cast his/her vote in favour of the candidate.
With hardly a fortnight left for the elections, leaders of all the parties have begun to face the “hiccups” what with villagers refusing to accept cheap liquor. “On a quarter bottle of branded liquor we have to spend nothing less than Rs 100 whereas cheap liquor costs a mere Rs 20. But without batting an eyelid the villagers say they won’t attend rallies or meetings if we don’t provide branded liquor,” a candidate of a regional party told HNN.
Sources said some of the candidates are cagey about spending on liquor as they are not sure of victory. “The voters have realised our weakness and have upped their demand to exercise their franchise,” another aspirant of a national party observed.
Penchalaiah, a worker hailing from Erpedu mandal, hit the nail on the head when he said: “The netas cheat us with false promises. After all, they come to us once in five years only to beg for votes. So, why can’t we cash in on that.”
That the voters are not going to be floored by liquor/cash freebies doled out by candidates was visible in several constituencies of the district.Sixtyfive-year-old Venkatamma of Kattamanchi in Chittoor said: “I accept money from all the parties since this is the only time to make a few bucks. But I will vote to a party of my choice only.”
Meanwhile, with the voters demanding branded stuff, liquor shops have hiked the rates. Some shops have even started displaying ‘no stock’ boards.
“With the demand for branded liquor ever increasing, leaders are busy dumping the stock from outside the state as they don’t have much time to woo the voters,” an analyst said.
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