Rs.140 crore seized during Andhra polls

A whopping Rs.140 crore in unaccounted cash has been seized during the ongoing assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh so far, officials said Saturday.

The state accounts for more than 50 percent of the Rs.272 crore seized across the country.

State Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal told reporters here Saturday that the Election Commission was concerned over the growing money power in the elections.

He said the number of flying squads was also increased to keep a close watch on the money and liquor flow.

The police have so far seized five lakh litres of liquor.

"As the seized liquor bottles have made in Goa, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh stickers, we will send teams to these states for further investigations," he said.

The cash and liquor were seized March 5 onwards when the poll panel announced the election schedule.

Half of the cash was seized in Telangana where elections to 119 assembly and 17 Lok Sabha seats were held Wednesday.

Polling for 175 assembly and 25 Lok Sabha seats in Seemandhra is scheduled May 7.