Bengaluru to go dry for 4 days during polls

The pub capital of the country will go dry for four days, owing to the Lok Sabha polls. Booze will be out of bounds to Bengaluru three days in April when the city goes to vote, and one day in May for the counting.

The Election Commission has declared four dry days for Bengaluru, with the sale of liquor stopping from 6 pm on April 16, through April 17 and 18 until 6 pm. On May 23, there will be no sale of liquor for the full day on account of counting of votes.

As per excise rules, 48 hours before the end of polling in each state are declared 'dry' and no sale or serving of liquor is permitted.

Karnataka will vote in two phases on April 18 and 23. “A 5-km radius of no-sale-of-liquor-zone will be enforced if the adjoining areas do not go for voting and this will also extend to the other state if the borders come within a 5-km radius," said Sanjeev Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner.

Gearing up for the dry days, the watering holes in the city have already resorted to a "ration-like" sale. If you are a new customer, don't be surprised if the bartender objects to carrying a full bottle of whiskey home. He may advise you to have the drink at the bar itself.

"We instruct our boys to keep an eye on hoarders who purchase tetra-packs of liquor multiple times during the day. These are people who frequent wine shops and bars to buy and stock liquor, and then sell to political parties who use them to lure voters. We don't entertain such hoarders," said Harish, a bartender in Kengeri.

"But regular customers will not face any parcel hassles. We know them and are sure that the liquor they purchase won't be misused for elections," Harish said.