Cash for votes: Karnataka tops the list

New Delhi, Mar 13: Money power seems to dominate polls in South India. Even after six decades of Independence, it is unfortunate that quality of democracy is pushed to the back seat with money power and influence of liquor.

A study by the Centre for Media studies revealed some disturbing fact about cash for votes during elections. In a shocking revelations Karnataka has topped the most notorious state where money power dominated in the 2008 Assembly elections.

About 47 per cent voters accepted money to vote in the last year assembly elections. The other states where money power plays a big role are Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The study also found that urban voters were more susceptible than rural voters.

To lure the voters, 'Money' mattered a lot which was spread across all demographic groups- young and old, poor and rich, urban and rural. The Centre for Media Studies estimates that Rs 1,000 crore will be spent on Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections.

The study also estimates that the Andhra elections will be the most expensive State Assembly election in Indian history. According to estimates the total spending in the 2008 Lok Sabha elections would be between Rs10,000 and Rs 15,000 crore.

OneIndia News