Candidates confident of winning the city corporation election are offering up to Rs 10 lakh to others to withdraw their nominations to avoid splitting of votes.
As Monday is the last day to withdraw nominations, candidates are offering Rs 10 lakh to other popular candidates contesting from their wards and above Rs 1 lakh to those with slim chances of winning. According to sources, candidates are ready to even pay Rs 25 lakh to Rs 30 lakh.
It is also said that many candidates have filed nominations with the sole intention of withdrawing, as they know the huge rewards in store.
On an average, 10 aspirants have filed their candidature from each ward and it is expected that about 100 would take back their nominations on Monday.
Sources also said that candidates confident of winning are using goons to coerce others to withdraw.
K G Jagadish, an observer deployed to look after the polls told the Express that government has not yet released the names of the observers.
He said the government is expected to announce the names and cellphone numbers of the observers on Monday and people can call them to report irregularities.
Jagadish said that he was unaware about the candidates offer cash rewards.