Parties lure government scheme workers for campaigning

BELAGAVI: With the mercury hovering around the 35-degree celsius mark, parties are finding it difficult to rope in people for campaigning. Candidates, especially those from prominent parties, and strong independents are banking on workers of the Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in Belagavi district.
Workers are thrilled as they get more money than the MGNREGS wage, with food and a peg or more of alcohol throw in for men.While workers get Rs 249 per day under the government scheme, they pick up around Rs 500 for campaigning.
There’s a tough contest between major political parties in Belagavi and Chikkodi constituencies. As parties announced candidates at the very last moment, there’s little time to reach voters. The MGNREGS workers tag along with candidates from door to door and distribute pamphlets. Usually, these workers slog on farms under the scorching sun. Compared to that, they feel roaming around with leaders is a breeze.
Nagesh Gondhali, an MGNGRES worker of Soundalaga village in Chikkodi taluk, said he’s not overly bothered about where the money comes from. “MGNREGS work is always there; we can do that anytime. Elections come once in five years and there’s nothing wrong in cashing in on them. We’re ready for campaigning as politicians pay us well,” he said.
Gondhali is just one of many male MGNREGS workers out campaigning for the past two days in both constituencies of the district. Zilla Parishat CEO Rajendra KV said they are free to work anywhere. “We’ll know how many of these have been roped in only after a few days,” he said.