Andhra Pradesh is easily going to be the costliest election in India.
Besides the exorbitant freebies promised after winning, the last-minute engineering is all about cash distribution in Andhra Pradesh.
Previously, cash is only confined to Below Poverty Voters. But things have changed drastically in the last three elections. The middle class and Upper middle class are also accepting money and are demanding too. Hence elections became costly.
MP candidates are pitching on an average one-third to half of the cash in the distribution in all the seven MLA constituencies under their seats. The MLA candidate will add the remaining half. In SC and ST reserved seats, the MP candidates should also pay for the MLA candidates. But the amount paid for a vote is less in such constituencies.
If the MP candidates are from reserved seats and if they can not afford, the MLA candidates have to do all the heavy lifting.
We are seeing the major parties give MP tickets to the rich and that is happening for a reason.
In most places, cash is being directly distributed. In some places where the police vigil is high, candidates are distributing coupons. These coupons can be exchanged at specified shops in the village or towns for cash. Small Kirana shops, Petrol Bunks, etc are used for this purpose.
Some candidates completed the first round of cash distribution four days ago and the second round will happen tonight or tomorrow night.
Candidates had a tough time arranging for Cash this time as the Election Commission is more proactive. Despite the high amount of seizures, the money has been arranged in all constituencies.
The thought process of the candidates is unique concerning cash distribution.
In Godavari districts, some coalition candidates think they have a wave in their favor so, there is no need for cash distribution or nominal distribution enough. But in the Prakasam district, despite believing in the wave, the alliance candidates are still distributing money.
The candidates are not in the mood to refuse money even for their sure-shot voters. The same candidates are distributing double the amounts to the voters from the opposition party’s favorable areas.
In a few constituencies, some candidates stopped spending fearing defeat. But there is tremendous pressure from the parties’ high command and the local leaders to continue spending.
In Rayalaseema, a minister is doing a nominal campaign and made cash distribution almost zero.
In many constituencies, there is an understanding between YSR Congress and TDP candidates. Both sides have decided on a common number and will distribute to the same. Nobody pays higher or lower. This is to ensure there is no competition in giving money. The voters can decide whom to vote and the money is not wasted.
In West Godavari, a sitting MLA already distributed 1000 Rupees each to every DWACRA woman. Now he and his opponent will be distributing 2,000 Rupees each. The opponent is now worried, the extra 1000 given to the DWACRA women will have an impact. He may arrange cash for them as well now.
In one of the districts of South Coastal Andhra, a big shot did not distribute cash in apartments and areas where the upper-middle class resides and lost by a slender margin in 2019. His men are distributing money to even those people this time.
The average money that is being distributed is between 1000-2000 Rupees. 5,000 per vote and 8,000 per vote are exaggerated numbers. The cost of the vote is going up to 5,000 in some high-profile constituencies. But that is for a very few important votes.
In Uttarandhra and Rayalaseema, the role of money used to be less previously but this time, it has increased a lot more.
Even in YSR Congress’s strongholds in Kadapa district, the party candidates are giving 2,000 Rupees per vote.
Some YSR Congress candidates distributed money almost twenty days ago but are now cautiously spending as the feelers are not positive.
Besides the normal voters, the candidates are also giving big amounts (in Lakhs) to the leaders of communities, associations, etc with the hope they would influence them.
And then, there are expenses like Biryani, Booze, etc.
YSR Congress ran their government on freebies for the last five years. The poor is of the opinion that they earned very much in the last five years and have high expectations of the cash from such candidates. So, the candidates are struggling to satisfy them.
Long ago, there used to be people who would take money from one party and vote for them. But everything has changed now. The voters will take money from all candidates.
Having done everything, the candidates are sure the voters taking cash does not necessarily mean the vote is for them. They will accept cash from both sides and cast their vote according to their choice. But if the money is not given, they will not vote for sure.
