Hyderabad, May 12: YSR Congress chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s political fortunes are going to make several people poorer and, an equal number richer. For, there are many who have placed bets on the results of the Kadapa by-polls to be out this Friday.
Among those who are betting on Jagan are politicos and even ministers, besides the regular gamblers. Since the result is more or less a foregone conclusion, these men are betting on the margin of victory of the late YSR’s son. Interestingly, sources said, Jagan loyalists and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi loyalists had locked horns in betting too. TDP leaders, uncomfortable with the working of their chief N Chandrababu Naidu, are also said to have jumped into the fray.
The betting is in full swing in Vijayawada, Guntur, Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari districts in the state and in Bangalore as well. In Kadapa district, it is on in Proddatur, Rayachoti and Jammalamadugu.
But what exactly are they betting upon? Most bet on the margin of victory with some predicting around one lakh votes and several others 4 lakh votes. According to unofficial estimates, more than Rs 100 crore has already been invested. Some are betting on the fortunes of Congress candidate DL Ravindra Reddy too. The minimum bet is pegged at Rs1 lakh. Sources said agents charge a commission of 20 per cent from both winners and losers, making a decent sum in the bargain. The betting rackets are operating out of private houses, hotels and guest houses. If the winning margin of Jagan is more than what a punter bets, he would get a bonus in accordance with pre-determined rules.
It is not just money. A punter may put at stake immovable property like cars and houses as the payment can be in cash or kind.
–Agencies