Mobocracy? Avail paid supporters at Rs 300 for K'taka polls

Bangalore, April 5: Karnataka is gearing up for state assembly elections 2013 slated on May 5. And, reports suggest that all major political parties and leaders have already started hiring supporters at Rs 300 to Rs 500 per day to help them in their pre-campaign works.

Political parties are yet to distribute tickets. A "hot war" has already began in both ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress as leaders fight to get the prized tickets to contest elections.

In one of the episodes of mad "scramble" for tickets, a "paid" supporter on Thursday, April 4 died in front of Congress Bhavan in Bangalore.

Velan, a 54-year-old person died during a demonstration in front of Congress Bhavan, when police resorted to lathi-charge to control the mob. However, the reason behind Velan's death is still unclear. Velan was a security guard, but he lost his job recently.

Velan was said to be hired by one Congress ticket aspirant at Rs 300. Velan was also promised free lunch.

Most of the paid supporters are hired by politicians to stage protests in their favour.

Come elections in Karnataka, political parties and leaders throw huge sum of money to hire poor and unemployed people to work as their supporters.

"This is nothing new. Political parties and leaders hire supporters and give them daily allowances and food till elections get over," said a poll observer on condition of anonymity.

Many youth and women work as paid supporters during election season as part time job.

OneIndia News