Bantwal: Independent candidate from Dakshina Kannada for the upcoming MLC polls Harikrishna Bantwal, who was recently ousted from the Congress party for contesting against its official candidate Pratapchandra Shetty, has alleged that the latter has been trying to garner votes by paying Rs 10,000 each to voters.
Bantwal said that as Shetty has realized that he is going to face a tough time in the polls, he has resorted to such cheap tactics.
He urged the voters to not sell themselves for money and vote for a candidate who is indeed deserving. Speaking further, Bantwal said that one of his primary intentions if he wins the polls would be to fight for the salary hikes of gram panchayat members.
Bantwal recalled that he had announced to pay one lakh rupees to anyone who proves that Pratapchandra Shetty had visited any of the gram panchayats in Bantwal taluk during his tenure. However, none of them showed up as all were aware that Shetty remained inactive throughout.
Bantwal expressed hope that as the election is going to be on secret ballot, gram panchayat members would vote him atleast as the second candidate if not first. He admitted his liking for the BJP candidate Kota Srinivas Poojary saying he is a deserving candidate.
