Liquor coupons, samosas missing this election

Sangrur

Samosas, soft drinks, tea and colourful pamphlets are missing this election season, courtesy the Election Commission’s eagle eye on candidates’ expenditure to check freebies for voters. The EC has been monitoring gifts in various formats.

Elderly supporters of candidates are finding it hard to campaign without required vehicles and refreshments.

“Earlier, politicians used to start distributing pakodas, samosas, bottles of cold drink and other items to lure voters, but nothing of this sort is happening this time even as only eight days are left for the elections. The excitement is missing among voters,” said Kulwant Singh, a farmer from Ladda village.

Earlier, the aspirants used to give coded chits to electors, who could get it exchanged for free desi liquor from the nearest vend.

“Many tipplers of our village used to stock huge quantity of liquor during elections,” said Balwinder Singh of Kartarpura village.

As the EC teams have been keeping a check on all rallies to assess expenses, politicians are even avoiding serving items such as bread pakora (Rs 10 per piece), coffee (Rs 12 per cup), mathi (Rs 8), chhote bhature (Rs 30 per plate), samosa (Rs 10) and tea (Rs 8 per cup).

The Chief Minister addressed two rallies in Sangrur district in support of Congress candidate Kewal Singh Dhillon. The SAD-BJP candidate, Parminder Dhindsa, and AAP’s Bhagwant Mann are holding small meetings to avoid major expenses.

A labourer, Pappu Kumar, who is contesting as an Independent candidate, says it’s good for democracy. “If we want to see real democracy, the use of money must be contained during elections. I am getting a good response,” he added.

“We are strictly implementing the directions of the EC to check the election0related expenses of all candidates,” said Ghanshyam Thori, District Electoral Officer, Sangrur.