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BENGALURU: Two decades ago, gram panchayat (GP) polls were a low-key affair. Two or three candidates in a panchayat would campaign on bullock carts, cycles or on foot. Today, convoys of SUVs, plastered with posters and packed with campaigners, go around villages, a sign of how important these elections have become.
Money, liquor and freebies are flowing freely. According to a conservative estimate provided by some former members, a GP contestant today spends Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh on his/her campaign. Like would-be legislators, GP candidates make promises of building shrines and implementing welfare measures, which could cost them anywhere between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 1 crore.

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Mahatma , Rajasthan , India , Bengaluru , Karnataka , Kerala , Hanume Gowda , Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme , Swachh Bharat Mission , Swachh Bharat , மகாத்மா , ராஜஸ்தான் , இந்தியா , பெங்களூரு , கர்நாடகா , கேரள , மகாத்மா காந்தி தேசிய கிராமப்புற வேலைவாய்ப்பு உத்தரவாதம் திட்டம் , சுவாச்ச் பாரத் பணி , சுவாச்ச் பாரத் ,