The Punjab Congress on Tuesday lodged a complaint with the State Election Commission claiming largescale hoarding of liquor in different parts of the state to corrupt and influence voters during the upcoming zila parishad and block samiti elections. It also demanded that criminal proceedings be launched against SAD MLA Deep Malhotra and his son. Citing news reports of seizure of liquor by excise and taxation officials from a Ludhiana godown owned by Gaurav Malhotra son of Faridkot MLA Deep Malhotra Congress spokesman Sukhpal Khaira,in his complaint,claimed that though over two lakh boxes of liquor were found illegally stocked,the excise officials succumbed to pressure from Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and seized only 70,000 boxes. Though the godown was raided on May 3 in evening,the officials buckled under political pressure,made lame excuses and seized the stock on May 6,allowing the liquor mafia to smuggle out their stock. Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner Kamalpreet Brar is on record calling the entire stock illegal and without valid license, said Khaira. He added: The entire bulk and retail liquor business is now with ruling party members,under the patronage of Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia. Congress has concrete information that the said illegal stock was hoarded in Ludhiana for distribution among voters in the district. Such hoarding have been meticulously planned by Akali leaders at all district headquarters. To ensure free and fair elections,it is demanded that criminal proceedings be launched against the MLA,his son and that licence of his firm be cancelled without any further delay. All deputy commissioners be directed to raid all premises of liquor trade,particularly of those belonging to the Akali-BJP politicians, the complaint stated.
