Home » News » Munugode Bypoll Setback For Rajagopal Reddy As Eci Seeks Explanation For Money Transfers To Voters

Munugode bypoll: Setback for Rajagopal Reddy as ECI seeks explanation for money transfers to voters

TRS has alleged the Rajagopal Reddy's company Sushee Infra transferred money to 23 entities in Munugode constituency.

Published Oct 31, 2022 | 9:13 AM ⚊UpdatedOct 31, 2022 | 9:16 AM

Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy at his nomination rally in Munugode on Monday, 10 October, 2022. (Supplied)

Barely four days ahead of polling for the Munugode by-election on 3 November, the BJP nominee in the fray, Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy, has suffered a major setback.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has asked him to reply to the allegations of the ruling TRS in Telangana that ₹5.24 crore was transferred from his family-owned firm, Sushee Infra and Mining Limited, to 23 different persons/companies in the Munugode Assembly constituency

The TRS has alleged that the funds, transferred on 14, 18 and 29 October using the company’s State Bank of India (SBI) account, is meant for voter inducement.

The ECI has set a deadline of 4 pm on Monday, 31 October, for him to provide his explanation covering all aspects of the alleged transaction purported to have been done to induce voters in the constituency.

What the ECI said

The ECI said that, as transferer, if done by him or under his direction by his family-owned company as alleged, he has to ensure that this fund transferred to 23 bank accounts is not used for voter inducement, which is a corrupt practice.

The ECI also quoted the Model Code of Conduct for his reference.

“All parties and candidates shall avoid scrupulously all activities which are ‘corrupt practices’ and offences under the election law, such as bribing of voters, intimidation of voters, impersonation of voters, canvassing within 100 metres of polling stations, holding public meetings during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the close of the poll and the transport and conveyance of voters to and from polling stations.”

The ECI issued the notice to Rajagopal Reddy based on a complaint lodged by TRS General Secretary Soma Bharath Kumar.

“You are directed to clarify the position and status covering all aspects as mentioned in the representation about the alleged transaction purported to be done to induce voters in 93-Munugode AC, on or before 31 October, 2022, 4:00 pm to enable the Commission to take an appropriate decision,” said Avinash Kumar, principal secretary of the ECI in the notice.

Double whammy for BJP

The ECI notice came as a double whammy as the BJP is already finding little wiggle room in extricating itself from the allegations that it had sent its emissaries to purchase four TRS MLAs.

Though the saffron party has been denying any role in the incident, it is possible that it may have had some adverse impact on its prospects.

With Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao warning the BJP that he would come out with more evidence that would unsettle the seat of power in Delhi to nail it in the attempt to purchase the MLAs, it is possible that he may have succeeded in sowing a doubt in the minds of the people, though the investigation agency and the courts have to decide whether it was a fact or an elaborate act of fiction.