Civic polls turned into cash festival in Nellore, allege locals

Nellore: The municipal elections across the 72 divisions of Nellore Municipal Corporation on Sunday were marred by allegations of widespread cash distribution, transforming the voting process into an expensive financial battle among candidates.

Reports indicate that candidates across major political parties allegedly distributed cash ranging between Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 per voter.

The distribution started late Saturday night and continued into the early hours of Sunday alongside voter slip dispatches.

Unlike past elections where rival camps actively reported monetary inducements, opposing candidates reportedly operated simultaneously in adjacent streets without interference. Rising gold and silver prices prompted a clear shift from traditional gifts—such as sarees, silver glasses, and nose studs—to direct cash handouts. Demand for cash extended across all demographics, including affluent households, pushing estimated campaign expenditures for individual candidates to between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore.

The elections highlighted a major shift in candidate financing. Unlike previous elections where party leaders shared logistical costs, aspirants were reportedly required to pay around Rs 50 lakh to local leaders to secure B-forms.

Candidates were then left to single-handedly fund their entire campaign, including worker food arrangements, agent allowances, and voter payouts.

While victorious candidates hope to recover their investments over their five-year tenure, the heavy financial outlay leaves losing candidates facing severe financial distress.

The pervasive influence of money power across the 72 NMC divisions has drawn sharp criticism from political observers over declining democratic norms and electoral ethics in regional civic polls.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

M Srinivasa Rao

M Srinivasa Rao[email protected]

M Srinivasa Rao is Staff Reporter for SPSR Nellore District for The Hans India. A seasoned journalist with over 32 years of experience in both English and Telugu journalism. Throughout his career, he has worked with leading Telugu dailies, including Udayam, Andhra Jyothi, and Andhra Prabha, as well as prominent English newspapers such as The Indian Express. He began his journalistic career with Udayam in Tirupati, Chittoor district, where he worked from 1990 to 1992. He then served with Andhra Jyothi and Andhra Prabha in SPSR Nellore district from 1992 to 2006. From 2007 to 2016, he worked as a Staff Reporter for The Indian Express in SPSR Nellore district. Between 2016 and 2019, he was associated with The Hans India in YSR Kadapa district. Over the course of his three-decade-long career, Srinivasa Rao has extensively covered a wide range of beats, with particular expertise in social, economic, crime, and political affairs. He is passionate about reporting on current issues that have a significant impact on society and public life. He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) degree from Sri Venkateswara University in 1985.

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