Desi liquor loses shine among voters

Gone are the days when angoori and santri country-made liquor ruled the roost as far as the palates of "thirsty" voters were concerned.

Gone are the days when angoori and santri country-made liquor ruled the roost as far as the palates of "thirsty" voters were concerned.

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Not only has Indian Manufactured Foreign Liquor evidently replaced its desi counterparts, but close to 200 persons involved in smuggling bootlegged liquor into the capital have been arrested in the run-up to the municipal elections this time around.

"Around 154 cases have been registered under the excise act and 168 persons arrested since the model code of conduct came in force on March 16," said Dharmendra Kumar, special CP (law and order).

Police claim more than 50,000 bottles have been seized in less than a month. These include 2,708 whole bottles, 7,616 halves and more than 40,000 pawwas or quarters.

The seizure does not contain a single pack of country-made liquor. According to sources, while whisky remains the favourite "vote for booze" drink Red Wine is slowly making its foray into the menu.