Blatant bid to buy votes in Vadodara

Money power was at full play as various political parties distributed liquor, cash, utensils and other goodies in the slums of the city to woo voters on the eve of the election.

When DNA visited some slum areas, cars containing packets were easily located in areas like Navapura, Kalyanagar, Tarsali, Kishanwadi and Navayard.

Apart from booze, party workers distributed freebies like utensils, clothes, electric iron, mixer and other electronic appliances. The 'bribe operation' started in night and continued till early in the morning. Mango boxes were distributed in some parts of Tarsali to woo voters.

In some areas, the cash and other goodies were given to leading persons of the area for distribution. Community dinners were also sponsored in some pockets of the city. Liquor and cash were mainly distributed in the rural areas of the constituency.