Cong seeks EC action in restricting money power in polls

Bangalore, May 23 (UNI) Claiming that money had played a big role in the current Assembly elections in Karnataka, the Congress today asked the Election Commission to take action in restricting the role of money in electoral process.

Party Spokesman K H Shrinivas told reporters here that severe restrictions on political parties imposed by the Election Commission during the campaign phase had led to money power playing a major role in seeking mandate from the people.

While he appreciated the model code of conduct which was followed strictly leading to seizure of huge cash, he said ''money has its own power and the people know what one can do in the world with money.'' If the role of money was not curbed in preventing candidates enticing the voters with cash, whatever reforms the Election Commission had undertaken would prove to be in vain, he said adding the Commission should talk to political parties, public organisations and debate on the issue before bringing in fresh rules with a practical approach.

''The restrictions on election expenditure and publicity materials had its reflection in the circulation of the money freely and openly in garnering the votes from the people,'' he said.

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