I think the politician is not doing anything wrong although it's the dirty politics. For politician it's nothing more than a business and for that reason they may do anything but it's the fault of general people who are giving their most important vote thinking the received their temporary share. I think for that they deserve punishment.
From a point of view, I agree with you. But from another point, do this category of people have a choice? According to Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of human needs, physiological needs like food is among the first need of man. A hungry man will grab any opportunity that presents food to his table.
These are people living very low quality life, some feeding once in a day. The politicians discovered the weapon and they use it to achieve their aims.
What is playing out in such villages don't play out in towns and cities where you have the middle-class and the rich.