BJP trying to get liquor into Gujarat, Congress complains to EC

Ahmedabad, Nov 16 : Congress Gujarat unit President Bharatsinh Solanki on Thursday accused the BJP of planning to smuggle in liquor in large quantity into poll-bound Gujarat and urged the EC to appoint special observers in border areas of the dry state.

In a letter to Chief Election Commissioner A.K. Joti, Solanki called for sealing of border areas in Gujarat to prevent breach of the prohibition in place in the state, where polling will be held on December 9 and 14.

"... a very disturbing development has come to our notice from reliable sources, that the Bharatiya Janata Party is planning to get into Gujarat large quantity of liquor from neighbouring BJP-ruled states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh etc," Solanki said in the letter.

"This is a grievous crime, especially in the wake of impending elections and law and order situation it can entail, plus the obvious health hazards," he added.

Solanki said: "We understand that you are taking care of everything to ensure free and fair elections and thus we thought of bringing this to your notice."

"Please appoint special observers in all border areas with the neighbouring states, to seal them against any such breach of prohibition policy for undue favours. It will be a big support to the cause of democracy and the people of Gujarat," the Congress leader said.

The results of the elections for the 182-member Gujarat assembly and 68-member Himachal Pradesh assembly -- for which polling was held on November 9 -- will be declared on December 18.