J A L A N D H A R    E D I T I O N

Shanta Kumar condemns use of liquor during polls
Amritsar, January 15
Senior BJP leader Shanta Kumar, also in charge of Punjab BJP affairs, has condemned the use of liquor to influence the outcome of Assembly elections and described these practices as a serious threat to democracy. He said this here today in context of seizure of huge quantity of liquor from a building in Kamla Nagar of Fatehgarh Churian road in Amritsar North Assembly constituency. The seizure had sparked off allegation and counter-allegation between BJP candidate Anil Joshi and Congress nominee Karamjit Singh Rintu. Kumar said his party was known for values and did not support the idea of influencing democratic process of elections by any unethical means. He said thorough inquiry must be conducted and the Election Commission must take strict action. He said first phase of the Assembly election has gone well for the both SAD and BJP as few rebels had been witnessed. He said there was no challenge to the leadership of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal from the opponent party. He said the SAD-BJP alliance would regain power in the state.