SHIMLA; As the countdown to the Lok Sabha elections ticks away in Himachal Pradesh, the grip of money and intoxicants over politics tightens its hold. With a staggering haul totaling Rs. 13.38 crore already seized, even before the official notification, the race to the ballot box is marred by a shadow of corruption and vice.
In a stark comparison to the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, where seizures amounted to Rs. 11.31 crore, this year's figures paint a grim picture of escalating malpractice. Chief Electoral Officer, Maneesh Garg, revealed that the chase for illicit gains saw Shimla leading the pack with a jaw-dropping seizure of Rs. 4.19 crore, closely followed by Hamirpur at Rs. 3.98 crore. Kangra wasn't far behind, clocking in at Rs. 3.36 crore, while Mandi trailed with a 'meager' Rs. 1.83 crore.
Breaking down the loot, police crackdowns netted a hefty Rs. 4.65 crore, while the State Taxes and Excise department raked in a whopping Rs. 8.35 crore. And let's not forget the Mining department's eye-watering fines totaling Rs. 25 lakh for illegal excavations.
Zooming into the districts, the numbers read like a rap sheet of illicit gains: Bilaspur - Rs. 51.55 lakh; Chamba - Rs. 66.80 lakh; Hamirpur - Rs. 29.04 lakh; Kangra - Rs. 2.74 crore; Kinnaur - Rs. 7.99 lakh; Kullu - Rs. 1.04 crore; Lahaul Spiti - Rs. 32 lakh; Mandi - Rs. 58.22 lakh; Shimla - Rs. 1.15 crore; Sirmaur - Rs. 1.20 crore; Solan - Rs. 1.95 crore; and Una - Rs. 3.14 crore.
With the Election Commission of India's iron-fisted directives driving the crackdown, the battle against electoral corruption wages on.
But with 24 days left until the polls, the stakes couldn't be higher as the specter of dirty money and intoxicating influence continues to influence soft voters.
