KHAMMAM: The Grand Alliance may face dry days ahead as it seems to have been ‘cork-blocked’ by early bird TRS. Having started their election campaign about two months ago, the pink party leaders are said to have stocked up large quantities of booze with them, to such an extent that their opponents and loyalists may go parched. This is, perhaps, not in the right ‘spirit’.
Now that the model code as come into force, and that police and excise departments have intensified crackdowns, Grand Alliance candidates will struggle to cheer up their followers and supporters. In fact, now many of the liquor shops across the district are under CCTV surveillance.
Sources say that the pink party leaders have stocked up liquor worth around Rs 2 crore in separate places, only to be uncorked, or rather distributed, couple of days before the elections. “Uncertainty over selection of candidates till the last minute is the reason why we failed to procure alcohol in advance,” rues a Congress party leader.
“We purchased booze worth Rs 2 crore about six months ago,” boasts a ruling party MLA. “We had expected early elections.” He added that all his fellow candidates had done the same thing and “there are no worries” with regards to liquor distribution in the TRS.
“We are too late now and we cannot get even a dozen bottles,” rued another Congress leader. Excise officials have even sealed border areas of Andhra Pradesh and Chattisgarh and put up additional checkposts to prevent liquor being smuggled to the State. “In many places, shops don’t sell more than two bottles to one customer,” he claimed.
Meanwhile, Commissioner of Telangana Prohibition and Excise department, Somesh Kumar, said that if someone has information about stocks of illegal liquor, they can inform on the toll-free number: 1800-425-2523, or WhatsApp to: 7989 111 222. “Their identity will be kept confidential,” he assured.