On Thursday, a political controversy erupted in Wayanad at Tholpetty ahead of the Lok Sabha by-elections. The flying squad of the Election Commission and the police in the district seized around 30 food kits with pictures of Congress leaders.
Allegations are made that the kits were distributed to influence people and manipulate the votes in favor of the Congress for the November 13 elections. The ruling LDF has also filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India seeking an inquiry into the matter.
C K Saseendran, LDF district convener and former MLA said “Complaints were lodged to the Central Election Commission and Wayanad District Collector seeking an investigation into the issue,”
Wayanad Food Kits, an attempt to influence votes
According to sources, 30 food kits containing sugar, rice, tea dust, and other grocery items with photos of Congress leaders were seized from a flour mill located near the residence of a local Congress Leader. The kits were printed with photos of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddharamaiah. The kits are supposed to be distributed only to the landslide victims.
LDF alleged that the attempt hereby is to influence the votes using these food kits as a bribe to the local people. November 13 elections is right at the corner for this allegation to hold the matter.
“The UDF is violating the election rules and norms by distributing food kits to voters in Wayanad. The kits carrying pictures of Congress leaders were distributed in the guise of assistance to the landslide victims,”.
Priyanka Gandhi will be contesting against Sathyan Mokeri and Navya Haridas
The Congress leaders defended themselves by claiming these food kits to be the ones that were bought during the Wayanad landslide disaster on July 30. The food kits were labeled as ‘distribution to the landslide survivors’.
Priyanka Gandhi, Congress general secretary is the UDF candidate for the Wayanad elections on November 13. She is contesting against CPI candidate Sathyan Mokeri and Navya Haridas, the BJP candidate.
