Bengaluru: Elections to two graduates’ and two teachers’ constituencies for the legislative council passed peacefully Friday, and though the four seats are unlikely to alter governing Congress’ majority in the Upper House, allegations of cash payments, gifts and liquor parties to woo voters marked the contest.North-East Teachers’ constituency recorded the highest turnout, followed by Bengaluru Teachers’ and West Graduates’. South-East Graduates’ constituency saw the lowest polling, but it was the Bengaluru seat that was in focus.The constituency appeared to be the most “expensive” of the four, with allegations that the BJP-JD(S) alliance was offering Rs 5,000, along with a watch for male voters or a sari for women. The watches were claimed to be made by Hindustan Machine Tools. Meanwhile, Congress allegedly offered Rs 10,000 per vote. Each constituency comprises about 18,000 to 20,000 voters.“The money isn’t being spent directly by the candidate but by a network of teachers he has built over decades,” a Congress source said.MLC and former legislative council chairperson Basavaraj Horatti frowned on the practice, saying the council had begun to resemble the assembly in the way elections were conducted.“The legislative council was once filled with statesmen but is now being filled with persons who pay for votes,” he said after casting his vote in West Graduates’ constituency. “It is painful that even candidates representing teachers’ constituencies are bribing voters. Teachers should instead prefer able candidates.”Opposition leader in the council Chalavadi Narayanswamy had, on Thursday, alleged voters were being given cards or flasks marked with single-digit numbers to indicate the amount they would receive. “If it is 5, it means Rs 5,000, and if the number on the flask is 10, it is Rs 10,000,” he claimed.North-East Teachers’ constituency reportedly saw payments ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 per vote. Voters alleged that the amount varied according to the region they came from, with those from dryland areas offered Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 and those from irrigated regions Rs 1,500.Liquor parties allegedly added to the spending. In West Graduates’ constituency, the two main contenders were said to have provided consolidated sums to villages with 12 to 15 voters to organise parties. Similar gatherings were reported in North-East Teachers’ constituency.South-East Graduates’ constituency was alleged to have seen offers of Rs 3,000 and a gift from the BJP-JD(S) alliance, while Congress reportedly offered Rs 1,500 per vote and promised further assistance if elected.Counting of votes is scheduled for Tuesday.
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