Ahead of the Jubilee Hills by-election scheduled for November 11, all wine shops in the limits of Jubilee Hills assembly constituency will remain closed for four days starting Sunday evening. Bars and toddy shops will also down the shutters as per Excise Department orders, with restrictions in force until November 12.

With liquor sales halted, authorities are monitoring the reports that drug peddlers are attempting to stock up in advance. Meanwhile, all the political parties have intensified their final round of campaigning.

According to commissioner of police VC Sajjanar, all liquor shops and hotels, restaurants, clubs and other establishments selling / serving liquor within the limits of the said constituency shall remain closed and not permitted to sell / serve liquor to anyone whosoever, from 6 pm on November 9 to 6 pm on November 11 and from 6 am on November 14 to 6 am on November 15. 

It is learnt that the betting networks are active, speculating on the outcome of the bypoll, which some analysts view as a referendum on the Congress government’s two-year performance in Telangana. Observers also believe the result could significantly influence the political trajectory of the BRS.

Further, the Hyderabad police prohibited any type of campaigning activity in the last 48 hours before the closure of polling in Jubilee Assembly constituency on November 11. However, it is clarified that this does not restrict house-to-house visits of less than five persons, during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the close of polls. Besides, the use of mikes or public address systems by anybody or parties in the limits of Jubilee Hills assembly constituency was also banned along with playing music, singing or speeches or broadcasting through speakers or any other instruments.

According to police, making a speech, gesture or mimetic representation, exhibition or dissemination of pictures, symbols, placards or any other thing which is likely to create religious animosity or hatred between different communities or individuals or is likely to bring about commission of an offence of disturbance to or contempt of the law or of a lawful authority was also banned.