For Panaji votes, parties pay for flight tickets, shell out crisp currency notes

PANAJI: Every vote counts. As the prestigious seat of Panaji goes to bypoll on Sunday, parties are leaving nothing to chance. Whether it is repairing houses and roofs, providing tiles and households items or giving the voters return flight tickets from the Gulf, parties and their representatives are meeting all the demands.
“This is an election, where every vote matters.We have some friends abroad who are willing to come down and vote, if they are provided with flight tickets. We have agreed to their request,” said one supporter, who is working closely with the national party candidate.
A ticket from the Gulf, primarily the UAE from where some supporters are expected to airdash home and vote, will cost the candidate Rs 30,000 each.
Those who are working outside the state in cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai have also been told to book tickets on their own and take a refund when they land here.
“When we pay for the ticket of a supporter, you have to realise that it’s not just for his vote, but also that of his family. He will never be alone. He will have family at home and when they know that he has travelled all the way here to vote for a particular candidate, even they get influenced,” said the supporter.
Sources said candidates in Panaji are willing to buy any vote that is available for a price. While Rs 2,000 was being unofficially quoted for a vote during the state assembly election in 2017, that sum has almost doubled now, particularly at a time when the survival of this government and the formation of a new one is at stake.
Money is also being spent lavishly at restaurants with dozen-odd supporters raking up a bill of close to Rs 25,000 during an evening at a popular city restaurant.
‘Votes being bought in many pockets’
The money was paid in cash and the restaurant owner was told to ensure there was enough supply till Sunday.
“You cannot discount the influence of money, even in a constituency like Panaji where there are supposedly educated voters. There are so many pockets in Panaji where votes are being bought,” said one political observer.
In Panaji, crisp currency notes are being slipped into the hands of vulnerable voters during door-to-door campaigning. Some have refused, instead seeking employment, while others want loans to start businesses of their own.
“People tell us that they need money to buy a sound system or generators that can be given out on hire. They have some savings but want the candidates to make up for the deficit, in exchange, promising their family’s support,” said a source.
Retained by BJP since the year 1994 when Manohar Parrikar won for the first time from here, the party is now locked in a fierce battle with Congress, which senses it has a chance to regain the seat after 30 years.