``I will vote for whichever party gives more aarai (arrack) to drink,'' a sozzled villager barely able to stand was blabbering, holding up traffic minutes before former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda was to address a recent meeting at Gandasi, an hour's drive from Hassan.The likes of this old man were in a majority in the audience which was to hear Gowda hold forth about US President Bill Clinton's pressure and India's refusal to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Not that this issue would have struck a chord in them if they had been sober. For that matter, it wouldn't have mattered to them if the former prime minister had talked about irrigation or fertilisers.The one big street adjoining the meeting was strewn with polythene sachets of the spirit.It is not for the first time that voters are being wooed with liquor, but the 1998 elections in Karnataka have been witness to an unprecedented use of this tactic from day one of the campaign.Hassan or Kanakapura, where Gowda's son H.D.Kumaraswamy is contesting, are no exception. The story is the same all over the State, with political parties vying with each other in this spirited campaign. The authorities look the other way, especially if the candidates on whose behalf the liquor is being distributed are powerful.Like for instance in Hassan. ``When we complained to the officials about some lorries transporting liquor within the constituency, they told us they found that the vehicles contained mineral water. I wonder who can afford to drink mineral water in our villages,'' said a BJP campaign manager here.The scene at the public meetings can be quite hilarious, with those having had a fill clapping and cheering at all the wrong moments. ``Sometimes they spoil the show by abusing the same candidate who has got the sachets distributed,'' the BJP campaign manager said.There have also also been instances of the rival party seizing the vehicles transporting the liquor and distributing it as its own gift.Apart from the liquor, onenational party has been gifting wrist-watches with its election symbol on the dial to the people. However, a Congress worker says: ``This will actually have an adverse impact on the party. Since it is physically impossible to reach the target audience, some key people are put in charge of distribution. But do you think they will do an honest job? So those who don't get the gift become the party's enemies.''Another feature in Hassan are the baadu oota (non-vegetarian lunches) organised for villages in the run-up to the polls. These lunches, popularised by Vokkaliga chieftains including Gowda, are effective campaign vehicles.
