Controversies are becoming part of the high-pitched Karnataka Assembly poll campaign with BJP MLA and former Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, announcing in a public meeting that he would provide Rs 6,000 to each voter before the Assembly elections.
Addressing a convention in Sulebhavi village in Karnataka, Jarkiholi reportedly offered "double money" to voters to defeat the Congress candidate.!
Speaking in support of Nagesh Mannolkar, a candidate for the BJP ticket and a supporter of Ramesh Jarkiholi, the BJP leader on Friday sought people to dereat Laxmi Hebbalkar, a Congress candidate, representing the area.
“I want that worm must go. During the last elections, I campaigned for her, being in the Congress party and got her elected. This time, we must change that anti-social element at any cost. In the past five years, she just developed herself. You can see how many clubs and wine shops have been opened along the roadsides in the past few years,” he reportedly said speaking about Hebbalkar.
Jarkiholi, a former minister, was in Congress before he joined the BJP.
“Our opponent candidate is giving tiffin boxes costing Rs 70 in the wholesale market and pressure cooker of Rs 700. She may give even more. Altogether she may give gifts of Rs 3,000.
However, we are not giving any gifts now. Just testing the mood of voters. But, looking the today’s crowd, we are confident and can give double than her. You don’t vote BJP candidate if Rs 6,000 is not sent to you,” said Jarkiholi.
Congress has sought BJP to tell whether it agrees with his party leader.