JD(S) spending Rs.150 crore in Mandya, claims audio clip

Mandya: Two audio clips, purported mobile phone conversations between sitting Mandya MP L.R. Shivaramegowda’s son Chethan Gowda and P. Ramesh, former JD(S) worker and a contractor, was leaked to the media yesterday where it was claimed that JD(S) would spend Rs.150 crore to lure voters.

Nikhil Kumaraswamy, son of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, is the coalition candidate who is facing stiff competition from Independent candidate Sumalatha Ambarish.

The increasing popularity of Sumalatha, wife of late actor-politician M.H. Ambarish, has left the JD(S) camp worried.

The clips were recorded on Friday. The conversations are about the party’s decision to pay Rs.5 lakh each to around 2,900 booths in the constituency. Chethan, who discusses the party’s plans with Ramesh, expresses his astonishment in the clipping over the electioneering tactics of Sumalatha.

The JD(S) has contractors across the constituency and they will distribute the money, Chetan has said, adding, the party will provide mutton and chicken to voters. “For the first time, H.D. Deve Gowda’s family is spending money.

Till now, the money was going inside the house. Now funds are coming out,” Chetan Gowda reportedly told Ramesh.

Ramesh appreciates Sumalatha’s maturity and expresses discontent over Shivaramegowda and JD(S) leaders making disparaging statements on her. Chetan said, “Deve Gowda has instructed my father to do so.”

However, hours after the audio clips were leaked, Chethan and Ramesh denied that the voices in the clips were theirs. They said the audio clips were fake. Chetan denied that it was his voice in the conversation and said the audio clippings were released by the political opponents.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Kumaraswamy has denied the allegations that crores of rupees are being distributed to booths to lure voters.

He said the JD(S) had never indulged in cash politics. He urged the voters not to listen to baseless charges. Independent candidate Sumalatha said, “I have approached the Election Commission to take legal action against the JD(S) for using money power to lure voters.”