MLA ‘demands’ booze for voters
Audio recording of an alleged conversation shows the BJP leader asking excise inspector for 100 boxes of liquor “for the people”.
An alleged conversation between a BJP MLA and an excise official has left the saffron party red-faced in Palghar. The reason? The BJP leader is allegedly heard seeking 100 boxes of liquor (50 cases of beer and 50 cases of whisky) “for the people”, just days ahead of the election.
According to a complaint filed by Excise Inspector Jaywant Patil, Dahanu MLA Paskal Dhanare called him with the unusual request and even threatened to expose the ‘hafta’ received by excise officials if he failed to comply. “Give any brand. It isn’t for us but to make people happy,” the voice in the audio clip is heard saying.
The voice also threatened to expose a “Rs 50,000 hafta” paid to Patil’s senior by an illegal liquor trader in Dahanu. Patil’s complaint seeks protection from political intervention.
When this reporter tried to reach Dhanare, his assistant maintained that the leader was attending House proceedings and hence unreachable.
An alleged conversation between a BJP MLA and an excise official has left the saffron party red-faced in Palghar. The reason? The BJP leader is allegedly heard seeking 100 boxes of liquor (50 cases of beer and 50 cases of whisky) “for the people”, just days ahead of the election.
According to a complaint filed by Excise Inspector Jaywant Patil, Dahanu MLA Paskal Dhanare called him with the unusual request and even threatened to expose the ‘hafta’ received by excise officials if he failed to comply. “Give any brand. It isn’t for us but to make people happy,” the voice in the audio clip is heard saying.
While the complaint carries an acknowledgement date of November 30, the alleged conversation between Dhanare and Patil is supposed to have occurred a few days before the local elections in Talasari. “If my work does not happen by the 25th, I will forget about it,” the voice adds.
The voice also threatened to expose a “Rs 50,000 hafta” paid to Patil’s senior by an illegal liquor trader in Dahanu. Patil’s complaint seeks protection from political intervention.
When this reporter tried to reach Dhanare, his assistant maintained that the leader was attending House proceedings and hence unreachable.
