Cash registers in India elections

Elections in India have become a money sport. Unchecked money power has driven political campaigns ahead of the general elections which start today.

With no cap on the amount of money a political party can spend, aggressive displays of wealth, from cash handouts to alcohol distribution are on offer.

While money plays a key role in most elections around the world, the particular reliance of Indian parties on candidates with great personal wealth is quite a unique phenomenon.

Correspondent Murali Krishnan examines how money matters in these elections in a two-part series.