Kapurthala, October 7
Even as countdown for the Kapurthala byelections has begun, liquor shops in the district and the outskirts have started registering high demand for branded bottles by the political parties contesting in the assembly segment.
Huge piles of cartons can be seen outside many liquor shops. The consignments have reached in such large numbers that even the floors of the shops have been lined up with liquor cartons reportedly ordered by the agents of various political parties. So much so that many shopkeepers find little space for themselves inside their shops.
During a round to the Assembly segment, The Tribune team found that the demand for booze was all-time high and liquor shops were making a brisk business.
A liquor shop owner near Ramneek Chowk, when contacted, said he had received order from a political party and the agents would soon come to pick up the orders. He, however, refused to name the party that had ordered for the consignment.
Another liquor vend on Fattu Dhingra Road was seen piled up with the cartons of a premium brand liquor. The owner said he had got the liquor on demand. He admitted that the sales had started rocketing for the poll.
However, leaders of the two parties have blamed the use of money and booze on each other for wooing the voters. Ms Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab, said all such means were being adopted by
the Akali Dal for they apprehended a failure in the byelections. “We are sure of our success on the basis of the achievements of the party and the response of the residents and there is no point on following any such malpractice.”
Countering the claims of the Congress leaders, Dr Daljit Singh Cheema, secretary of the SAD said: “Everyone knows how the Congress has been winning elections everytime. Had we been using such unfair means, why would have we complained about the same to the Election Commission of India. Tomorrow again, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa will meet the Election Commissioner in this regard.”
Meanwhile, the Kapurthala police has laid nakas on all roads leading to the Assembly segment.
Dr Cheema pointed out that each and every vehicle of the Akali party was being checked at the nakas laid by the police as they see men in blue, black and saffron turbans entering the district. On the other hand, he alleged that the vehicles of Congress workers were simply allowed to pass without any checking.
