Dhaba near Kalia home serves free food

A new dhaba has come into existence at Central Town here just couple of days after BJP sitting MLA and former local bodies minister Manorajnan Kalia was given a ticket from Jalandhar Centre constituency.

The Ved Da Dhaba,which had opened for business on Thursday night at the back of Kalia’s residence,is playing host to all BJP workers. “Mantri saab ne kiha hai ke election de vich roti pani isse hi dahabe te khani hai te paise di chinta ni karni (The minister asked us not to worry about money and have food,tea and other refreshments from this dhaba while campaigning for the elections),” said a worker having food at the dhaba on Friday afternoon. “The dhaba was opened to help out the workers and supporters who visit Kalia’s place every day due to the elections,” said another BJP worker.

When The Indian Express visited the dhaba,it found no money was being charged from the party workers who were eating at the joint.

According to Election Commission guidelines,such expenditure — providing free food to a large number of workers who are involved for election related works — also comes under the expenditure account of the candidate,who is contesting elections.

When contacted,Kalia said: “The dhaba has not come up on my property. One person wanted to open a dhaba here to help party workers by providing food at a low prices and he did it on his own. The workers themselves are paying for the food and I am not involved in the matter in any way.”