Tomorrow's polling... there is a lot of temptation in the villages

Local body elections across the state have brought a charged atmosphere to the villages. Sarpanch polls are being conducted with intensity similar to Assembly elections, and candidates are aggressively campaigning to win voter support. Determined to secure victory, contenders are spending freely and crafting counter-strategies to beat their rivals. Since the eve of polling, many villages have seen a surge in efforts to entice voters.

Candidates have reportedly placed bulk orders with local shops to distribute packs of chicken to every household. Their teams are moving door-to-door early in the morning to ensure gifts reach each family. For male voters, plans for distributing liquor bottles are also being discussed widely. Once these tactics surfaced, rival candidates are said to have stepped up by offering direct cash. Reports suggest that some villages are witnessing payments ranging from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 2,000 per vote. In a few places, arrangements have even been made to supply mutton to those who do not consume chicken.

There is also talk of special vehicles buses, cars, and jeeps being arranged to bring migrant voters back to their villages. In some cases, agreements are reportedly made to reimburse travel expenses after voting. With polling scheduled in 4,236 villages tomorrow, the election buzz has gripped the rural landscape, turning normally quiet villages into centers of political activity.