With police and excise officials maintaining a strict vigil to prevent transportation and distribution of liquor, some contestants are finding alternative ways to woo the voters.
Following the instructions of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the police and excise officials have set up check posts on the district borders and highways and are taking measures to control the flow of liquor. The officials have seized huge quantity of liquor in Ponnur, Mangalagiri and other towns in the district, during vehicle check-ups and raids in the last few days.
But, some candidates are allegedly distributing liquor by filling it in used soft drink bottles to avoid suspicion of the police and excise officials.
While some leaders are serving cool drinks laced with liquor, which resembles a soft drink.
“If the candidates carry liquor during campaign, the officials will book them. But, carrying soft drink bottles is not an issue. Taking it as an opportunity, some candidates are offering liquor on the pretext of distributing soft drinks to their supporters and voters,” said a woman who was participating in the electioneering.
Liquor shops closedMeanwhile, District Nodal Excise Superintendent Y. Adinarayana Murthy said all the wine shops and bars in the district should be shut down from 5 p.m. on Friday in view of the municipal elections due on March 30.
Stern action“Stern action will be taken against the shop owners, if they violate the Election Code of Conduct. All the wine shops and bar and restaurants will remain closed on March 29, 30 and on April 2,” said Mr. Murthy.
