Congress Accused of Coupon Scam in Channapatna By-Elections

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy accuses the Congress party of attempting to sway voters with worthless gift coupons ahead of the Channapatna by-elections. He warns voters against deceitful strategies and backs his son, Nikhil Kumaraswamy, to secure victory on November 13.

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy has leveled accusations against the Congress party, alleging an attempt to manipulate voters through the distribution of gift coupons in Channapatna. This area is set to hold by-elections on November 13. Addressing various villages during his campaign, Kumaraswamy accused Congress of engaging in similar tactics during the previous assembly election by handing out gift coupons worth Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 in constituencies such as Ramanagara and Magadi.

He claimed voters were duped into redeeming these coupons at Bengaluru's Lulu Mall, only to find them valueless. Kumaraswamy labeled this as a 'coupon scam,' asserting that the Congress is repeating this strategy in the upcoming Channapatna by-election. He urged the electorate to resist these deceptive tactics and advocate for integrity in the voting process.

Nikhil Kumaraswamy, the Union Minister's son, is contesting the Channapatna seat, facing off against Congress' CP Yogeshwar. HD Kumaraswamy expressed confidence in his son's victory, highlighting the region as an NDA stronghold. Notable, HD Kumaraswamy had previously defeated Yogeshwar in the 2018 and 2023 assembly polls from Channapatna. This seat became vacant following HD Kumaraswamy's election from the Mandya parliamentary segment in the last Lok Sabha polls. The first voting phase includes 47 Assembly constituencies and the Wayanad parliamentary seat in Kerala on November 13 with a subsequent phase on November 20, and count on November 23.

(With inputs from agencies.)