Liquor shops shut in Jubilee Hills ahead of bypoll
HYDERABAD: In view of the Jubilee Hills Assembly by-election, authorities have ordered the closure of all liquor outlets across the constituency. Officials said the wine shops would remain shut from Sunday until 6pm on Tuesday, when polling is scheduled.
They added that liquor sales would again be suspended on November 14, the day of counting, from morning until completion of the process. Orders were issued under Section 20 of the Andhra Pradesh Excise Act, 1968.
The ban covers wine shops, toddy outlets, bars attached to restaurants, star hotels and registered clubs.
With election campaigning ending on Sunday, officials have stepped up vigil and begun poll arrangements. To maintain law and order, Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code has been imposed across the Jubilee Hills constituency.
Police said assembly of more than five persons within 200 metres of polling stations has been prohibited. They also warned against bursting firecrackers on counting day, especially in public places or residential areas.
Authorities cautioned that violations of these orders would invite legal action.
The bypoll is witnessing a triangular contest among key parties. The ruling Congress has fielded Naveen Yadav, while the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has nominated Maganti Sunitha. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate is Lankala Deepak Reddy.
Congress is aiming to consolidate its hold on the city by retaining the seat, while the BRS hopes to regain lost ground. The BJP, which won eight seats in the previous Assembly elections, is eyeing a victory to boost its strength.
Political observers say the outcome of this bypoll has drawn statewide attention as all parties have made it a prestige battle.
