Punters can't rule roost, Rs 1,000 crore bets sink

Betting kings of coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh whose Sankranti turnover on cock fights runs into `1,000 crore are in doldrums after the high court verdict. While demonetization has taken the spunk out of the mega sporting event, the High Court verdict on Monday came as a rude shock.
“If Modi's D-bomb wasn't enough, the court order has left us shaken. It's a traditional sport and we make good money during Sankranti,“ said Ramakrishna Raju, a punter from Yandagandi in West Godavari.

Like Raju, hundreds of punters are grounded by Monday's HC directive.

Interestingly, several court directives in the past had virtually no effect on influential betting gangs of Krishna, West Go davari, East Godavari and Guntur districts, thanks to vocal support by ruling party lead e r s. A l t h o u g h politicians were ready to back the organizers to encourage cockfighting under guise of cover to culture and tradition, demonetization was a dampener.

With banks in no mood to relax restrictions on cash withdrawals, it may be difficult to see the betting bangarrajus to rule the roost. Presence of film stars and top politicians from others states would also provide a glamour touch to the betting event during Sankranti.

“While local landlords and NRIs used to bet big money on cockfights, even local daily wagers take part with small monies as winning a cockfight is prestigious,“ says organiser

D Muralimohan

of

Kolletikota village

. Despite the Dbomb, organizers had started breeding special fighter cocks for the event.

Organizers promise 10 times moolah for a single betting. Organisers used to make special arrangements for participants and VIPs by erect ing special tents, barricades and makeshift guest houses in fields.Despite the hype, locals confirmed a ood in betting strongholds is missing festive mood in betting strongholds is missing this time due to shortage of currency. While the agriculture labourers had no work for last 35-45 days, landlords too are facing the heat due to restrictions on cash withdrawals.

After the High Court verdict, Andhra Pradesh home minister

Nimmakayala Chinarajappa

said the government would strictly implement the court order.

The government would not support anyone found violating the court directive, he warned. Eluru range

DIG PHD Ramakrishna

said 325 offenders have been booked.