Daijiworld Media Network - Chikkamagaluru (SP)

Chikkamagaluru, May 9: All the three major political parties have been vying with each other in this constituency to garner popular support. At a time when electioneering is in its zenith, an allegation that BJP leaders have been trying to extend lure of pilgrimage to women voters in particular with the plan to make them commit in the divine presence to vote for BJP candidates has surfaced.

This allegation seemed to get some credence going by the fact that two private buses carrying villagers from Kethamaranahalli near here to Dharmasthala was stopped and questioned on Tuesday May 8 morning. The buses were bound for pilgrimage centre, Dharmasthala. Kadur taluk electoral officials, who stopped the buses, seized them. It is learnt that a case stands registered against local BJP leaders, Mohan Kumar and Kamala, accusing them of enticing voters by offering to take them on pilgrimage free of cost.

C T Ravi

It is alleged that Ravi's supporters offered the lure of Dharmasthala pilgrimage and monetary consideration to villagers from Kethamaranahalli and Gollarahatti villages near here. About 700 villagers were given this offer, it is said. The supporters allegedly planned to make the pilgrims take religious vow to support BJP candidate at the pilgrimage centre. It is said that arrangements had been made on Monday night to take voters, most of them women, in three buses to Dharmasthala on Tuesday. Leaders of opposition parties, who came to know about this arrangement, complained to electoral officials on Monday night, urging them to take preventive steps. Acting on the complaint, the electoral officials, acting along with police, stopped buses near Sakharayapattana and collected information from passengers.

After questioning the villagers, the police took the buses into possession and sent people home. They also are said to have registered case against local BJP leaders, Kamala and Mohan Kumar.

The electoral officials later got information that the villagers reached the town and planned to travel to Dharmasthala by KSRTC buses. Electoral officer, Tushar Ramani, and town station police sub-inspector then subjected hundreds of villagers travelling to Dharmasthala by a government bus to scrutiny. The official later said that the villagers were found to have bought separate tickets and hence it does not fall under model code of conduct.