Cash and liquor have been the most popular means to lure voters. But of late, seizure of drugs and narcotics in large quantities indicate a disturbing trend. As per figures provided by state chief electoral office, narcotics worth Rs 3.44 crore have been seized from the day model code of conduct was enforced on March 10 till April 4.
Most disturbing part is the seizure of 19,200 ALP tablets. In all, 6,417.108 kgs of contraband have been seized till date. The seizures were made by police and narcotics department. Besides, 2.91 lakh litres of illicit liquor worth Rs 6.88 crore have been seized by various teams, which forced Election Commission to check unfair use of liquor during elections. Election Commission in its report on seizures from around the country also vindicates this fact. The value of goods seized till April 10 was close to Rs 2,000 crore. The largest seizure of drugs was worth Rs 725 crore.
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According to ECI report, biggest offender so far is Gujarat where Rs 513 crore worth of goods and cash have been seized. Tamil Nadu with seizures worth Rs 413 crore stands second followed by Andhra Pradesh with seizures worth Rs 196 crore.
Lok Sabha elections will be held in MP on April 29, May 6, 12 and 19 and results will be declared on May 23. Considering the fact that election campaign hasn’t come to full swing, seizure of drugs till date hints at worse in coming days.
The figures available for drugs seized during 2013 assembly elections stood at Rs 30.80 lakh that crossed Rs 6 crore in 2018 assembly elections. Mandsaur, Neemuch, which share border with Rajasthan, are considered to be drug sensitive regions where opium is grown and drugs are manufactured. Senior police official and nodal police officer at election office during assembly elections, Yogesh Chowdhary admitted that problem is grave. “Increasing use of drugs in election is worrisome. I am sure action will be taken in coming days,” said Chowdhary.
“Though use of anything to lure voters is wrong be it liquor, cash or drugs but increasing amount of seizure of drugs rings an alarm bell,” said Rolly Shivhare, coordinator of Association for Democratic Reforms. Trends suggest that people belonging to low income group opt for inexpensive means of intoxication like chemical tablets. A drug inspector in Shivpuri raided a drug store a year ago, which revealed that labourers use cheap tablets as alternative of liquor.
