Dirty tricks department awaits pay time

These men shot spy footage on video, smuggled cash, and did all the wheeling dealing necessary to help swing elections in favour of their friends and leaders. They hope to be rewarded as soon as a new government takes charge next month

Men who spied and did all the dirty work for politicians are expecting payback in a month's time. MiD DAY spoke to some key supporters of Bangalore's politicians, and brought back startling revelations about what could unfold once the results are out on May 16.

A supporter in Chamarajpet who has spent a fortune on the election of JD(S) parliamentary candidate Zameer Ahmed Khan hopes to be made a councillor.

"I will become one if Zameer wins," he said, requesting anonymity. "I have invested a lot and also raised funds for his electoral expenses."

Dirt diggers

The Reddy brothers, Karnataka's biggest moneybags in politics, had hired some men to dig up the dirt on former prime minister H D Deve Gowda and his sons Kumaraswamy and Revanna.

A supplier of spy cameras to Janardhana Reddy has reportedly done some heavy duty spying during these elections as well. He was the one who reportedly helped the Reddys get spy cam footage against Kumaraswamy in the Rs 150 crore bribery case. The camera supplier is believed to have given gadgets like cameras and voice recorders to stealth workers in the Reddy camp. He expects a windfall if candidates backed by the Reddy brothers win these elections.

It's payback time for netas

Another dirt digger, who used the RTI Act extensively, is in possession of confidential information on Kumaraswamy and what he did when his government was in power. He had camped in Bellary with the Reddy camp.

"I am back in Bangalore," said the activist. "I shared confidential information which they will take up after the polls. I hope to make a few crores."

Note worthy
But not all want cash. Manjunath Shetty (name changed), a businessman who runs darshinis in Bangalore, carried Rs 40 lakh in his car for the campaign of BJP state president Sandananda Gowda, contesting from Udupi-Chikmagalur districts.
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"He hopes to open a luxury hotel with Sadananda Gowda's support if he wins," a source said.

But the big leaders won't admit such things happen.

"Party workers work along with us," said S Bangarappa. "We don't employ anybody to dig up dirt on our rivals. Our workers expose such scandals by themselves."

Dirty tricks department
>>Janardhana Reddy's man (Bellary)
What he did: Spied on Deve Gowda family, supplied spy cams.
Payback: Expects a windfall.

>>Zameer Ahmed Khan's man (JDS, Bangalore Central)
What he did: Raised funds, gave money for campaign.
Payback: Wants a councillor ticket.

>>Owner of Darshini chain (Supporter of Sadananda Gowda, BJP)
What he did: Smuggled money for campaign.
Payback: Expects a luxury hotel licence.