Illicit liquor being distributed in Shahkot: SAD to EC

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today accused the ruling Congress of distributing illicit liquor in Shahkot, where Assembly bypoll is scheduled on May 28, and urged the poll panel to intervene.

The SAD also demanded the replacement of the state police with para-military forces and deployment of adequate number of teams of the Election Commission to monitor the situation.

"We have told the EC that the illicit liquor bottles are being distributed in Shahkot Assembly constituency. There is no brand name, no manufacturing date, no excise number of the distillery on the bottle. Truck loads of liquor bottles are being distributed at the behest of ruling party," alleged SAD spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema here.

He said that the entire poll process, including developments in the next three pre-poll days must be videographed by the EC.

Cheema also accused the Congress led government of misusing the official machinery to win the the bypoll.

"We have impressed upon the EC that its teams must videograph the entire polling process at every polling both.

"In addition, temporary CCTVs must be operationalised in the complexes during the polling hours," Cheema said.

At this moment, the impression is that the Election Commission abdicated its responsibility and abandoned the people of the constituency," he alleged.

"The EC must take immediate and effective steps to dispel the widespread impression that the EC is allowing a free run of the place to the hoodlums of the ruling party. And importantly, these steps must be taken now before it is too late," he said.

Shahkot bypoll was necessitated following the death of sitting MLA Ajit Singh Kohar.