INDORE: The decision to past stickers on liquor bottles urging people to vote has sparked controversy in Jhabua district . Congress and JAYS have alleged violation of model code of conduct as these sticker bearing bottles are allegedly sold in the market.To reach out to voters and urge them to vote in upcoming assembly elections, the district collector had considered pasting stickers urging people to vote on liquor bottles.The stickers, published in the local dialect, read - 'Vote jarur nakhwa nu, hamu sankalp karayi se' meaning we take the oath that we will definitely vote. These stickers which have also been published in Hindi are being stuck by district administration on houses, vehicles and ration cards.Over two lakh stickers have been published by district administration under SVEEP programme to be put on liquor bottles. The administration had tied up with excise department to put them on liquor bottles since alcohol plays a vital role in tribal culture."We had first publicized this plan so that we could get feedback from people. While some appreciated the move, some were skeptical about it. Looking at the complaints, we decided to call it off and no stickers have been put on any bottles," Ashish Saxena, Jhabua district collector said.The issue had been raised by Congress as well as local JAYS wing. In its complaint to Election Commission, Congress has alleged that district administration, especially collector and excise officer are working with BJP to supply these liquor bottles to voters to influence them. "The model code of conduct has been violated. To influence the votes of tribal communities in favour of BJP, stickers of voting have been pasted on liquor bottles. The matter should be probed and strict action must be taken," complaint by Rakesh Singh Yadav, state secretary of MP Congress Committee read.It has also been alleged that these stickers have covered the statutory warning on bottles.

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