AIMIM MLA demands closure of bars

An AIMIM legislator from Maharashtra has put forward a demand to shut beer bars, permit rooms and country liquor shops during the election period for free and fair polls.

Imtaiz Jaleel, a former TV journalist, has shot off a letter in this regard to Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra.

"The Election Commission has always tried its best to ensure that elections are conducted in a free and fair manner across the state. Conducting elections in a peaceful manner is also the prime objective of the commission," the Aurangabad MLA said.

According to him, it is a known fact that come elections the sale and supply of alcohol/liquor/country liquor shoots up drastically and the beer bars are packed till late night.

"Candidates and parties contesting the elections find it easy to offer liquor to the electorates whether in rural or urban areas. Although the directives from the Election Commission and the district administration is to keep a tab on the sale and purchase of liquor at country liquor shops and permit rooms/bars on daily basis the fact is there is simply no mechanism to keep a check on this," he said.

He also pointed out that there are reports that many shops have stocked liquor in large quantities much before the election notification came into being and the same will be sold during the election season.

"My earnest request to you since your goal is to organise elections in a peaceful manner is to shut down all beer bars/permit rooms/country liqour shops for a period of one month or till the final phase of voting takes place. This will not only make the election process smooth but will also lessen the burden from the police department since many a crimes take place once the person gets drunk,' he added.