Clubs seek kits from ‘weak’ contestants

Hyderabad, April 6: Youth associations and clubs are persuading “vulnerable” candidates to gift sports and games kits in return for votes.

As soon as a candidate approaches the youth clubs for votes, they put forward their grievances about lack of equipment such as cricket kits, gym equipment and carrom boards.
The desperate candidates immediately make arrangements with sports dealers to supply the kits to the clubs.
“One candidate promised furniture and another offered a telephone connection,” said Mr Amarendra Yadav of the Hi-tech Friend Association in Uppal, which has 50 members. “But we have not promised our support to any candidate.”
Depending on the influence of the club president, the members are getting everything from sports kits to T-shirts and cellphones.
A sports dealer in Troop Bazaar said he was doing brisk business as some orders poured in the last minute. Troop Bazaar has many shops selling cheap sports goods.
“It would take at least seven days to deliver the order,” said a dealer who did not want to be named. “Orders that come after April 10 will be delivered before elections.”
However, Mr Satvinder Singh, owner of SA Sports in Bank Street, said business was dull.
“It was good in the last elections,” he said. “This time the politicians are a bit wary of the Election Commission rules.”
Police has seized some of the “gifts” before they reached the clubs. West Godavari police seized 90 cricket kits worth Rs 3 lakh on April 5 and Chittoor police also seized large number of cricket kits in Chandragiri constituency.