At Rs1.5b Karnataka now ranks second in poll-related seizures

New Delhi: In a dubious distinction with May 12 Assembly elections still a week away, Karnataka with over Rs1.52 billion (Dh83.52 million) cash, illicit liquor and goods seizures has already become the second top state in the country in terms of such poll related confiscation.

The southern state is the 22nd to go to polls for electing a new assembly since the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Uttar Pradesh tops the list with a cumulative seizure of Rs1.93 billion recorded in 2017 assembly polls, according to Election Commission data.

Karnataka just overtook Tamil Nadu where Rs1.3 billion seizures were made in 2016 assembly.

On Saturday, the Election Commission said cash and other goods worth over Rs1.52 billion were seized in the past few days in the poll-bound Karnataka. There is a possibility of more seizures before the May 12 polls as political parties are desperately trying to win over voters in the state.

While Rs672 million in cash has been seized, law enforcement agencies have confiscated gold and silver worth more than Rs430 million from different parts of the state in the last few days. Liquor consignments worth Rs233 million have also been impounded.

The Income-Tax Department alone has seized Rs204 million in cash of the total amount recovered from the state.

In 2013 assembly election, Election Commission data shows that Rs140 million worth seizures were made in the state.