Anil Kumar M/TNN
 
Bangalore, Dec 25: Who would have thought that in Karnataka money matters the most during polls? Or that in this supposedly progressive, literate southern state, 47% of voters trade their vote for cash, the highest in the country?

This shocking statistic has been highlighted in a study conducted by the Delhi-based NGO, Centre for Media Studies. Titled 'Alarming trend of purchasing voters', the study has Karnataka shamefully topping the country in voters being bribed to cast their vote in favour of a particular political party for money.

The study conducted after assembly elections in May 2008 gains relevance given the ongoing bypolls in Karnataka where money power is expected to substantially impact the final results.

The CMS study has Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar trailing Karnataka in 'vote for cash' phenomenon. The report bluntly states, "The recent assembly elections in Karnataka in 2008 have set a new benchmark in purchasing votes." Bribing menace was found to be lower in Left Front-ruled states of Kerala, West Bengal and Tripura (in May 2008).

Sadly, vote buying was rampant in highly literate states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Of interest to the current state bypolls is that CMS data has Doddaballapur topping the list in bribing voters compared with other assembly segments. In a study conducted in seven segments, Doddaballapur polled 57%, while Arabhavi stood last with 16% of voters given or taken cash to vote for a particular political party.

The CMS report states that the JD(S) beat all other parties in luring voters through cash in Doddaballapur in the May 2008 elections.

Former minister C Chennigappa, who defected and is contesting on a BJP ticket in Madhugiri bypolls, was the official JD(S) candidate then. JD(S) is closely followed by Congress and the BJP.

Even in Karwar, where the JD(S) has little presence, it overtook all others in bribing the voters. The study says BJP stood first in Arabhavi and Devadurga segments in giving cash for votes. However, the saffron party lost these constituencies in May elections. In Turuvekere and Madhugiri, Congress overtook BJP and JD(S) in luring voters through cash.

Kannada film actor Jaggesh was the official Congress candidate who won from Turuvekere in May last. "The study did not cover other inducements of freebies like liquor or in kind," the report said.