Political Diary

Pushed to the wall by a vigilant police working under an EC- appointed director general of police, political parties have devised novel ways to hoodwink police to carry cash to distribute among voters. Innovative methods include transporting cash in ambulances, RTC buses and stuffing small bundles of currency into spare tyres of four and two-wheelers. Taking hi-tech route, the politicians are also transferring cash online to a local party supporter. Another method is to deposit cash directly into the accounts of self-help group members. RTC buses have become a favourite conduit as it is difficult for the police to spot a passenger carrying a large amount of cash. "This is being resorted to in districts. A party worker carrying a large bag of cash will easily blend with long-distance passengers carrying big luggage," said a poll manager. Ambulance is another favourite mode of smuggling money. Police were staggered to find Rs 2.3 crore from an ambulance on Sunday night. In Hyderabad and on its outskirts, cash is being transported in small amounts by stuffing them into spare tyres. “In the first instance, money is divided into small amounts depending on the denomination. Several party workers carry them and finally deposit it at the residence of a local leader in the constituency. The voters are then given chits which they exchange for money at a local leader’s residence. This way, at no point is a large amount of cash falls in the hands of police,” said one leader. Stuffing the cash bundles into tubes and then inserting them into spare tyres of both four and two-wheelers is another method. “Transporting cash in small amounts and concealing them in vehicles is happening in urban areas including Hyderabad. Some clever leaders are also getting false bottoms made by mechanics in their vehicles to smuggle cash,” said a leader. In many places in districts, money is being transferred into the bank account of a local leader. “In many cases, they happen to be traders. They then surreptitiously distribute it to voters. In the coastal and Rayalaseema regions, money is being deposited in the bank accounts of a prominent and loyal self-help group leader who then breaks it up and passes onwards. On Monday, the campaign managers of all major parties were on overdrive. “The voters are demanding cash today as the liquor shops will close for the next three days. Besides, we need to stock some ourselves as the night before polling day is crucial,” said one manager.