Telangana’s liquor business emerged the real winner, with figures that left even seasoned campaigners stunned. In the run-up to the urban local body elections (polling on Feb 11), alcohol sales skyrocketed by a staggering 140%. Last year’s numbers up to February were already a robust Rs 673 crore, but this time, voters—and those wooing them—pushed it well beyond Rs 882 crore. At this pace, the Election Commission might as well swap its emblem for a foaming mug.

A Spirited Contest: "High Spirits" Reign Supreme

Anyone who’s watched these contests before knows the routine. No matter how well-meaning the promises, what truly fuels these elections are the unending stream of drinks. Political observers, likely raising a toast themselves, note that distributing liquor has become as much a campaign fixture as the speeches themselves. Picture a rally: fewer chants, more bottles uncorked, and “cheers” ringing out across the crowd. Naturally, the legal liquor shops aren’t the only ones busy. The darker side of these festivities churns out its share of “spurious liquor,” the kind passed around with both a grin and a heads-up. “Support me, and your glass never goes empty”—even if what’s inside leaves your vision a little blurry.

As the state plunges into the whirlwind of campaign season, certain city neighbourhoods have shattered records for liquor sales. Take Nizamabad, for example—shops there raked in an astonishing Rs 90 crore within just ten days during the peak of campaigning. In places like Hyderabad, Warangal, and Karimnagar, local vendors struggled to keep up. Candidates bought up entire inventories in advance, leaving shelves bare and regular customers disgruntled.

Officials Seized Rs 2.02 Cr Worth Material

At the same time, the State Election Commission has been far from inactive. Their clampdown on illegal inducements has resulted in one of the largest seizures in recent times. By February 2026, enforcement teams had confiscated goods worth nearly Rs 2.02 crore across the state. Here’s the breakdown: over Rs 89.3 lakh in cash from vehicle inspections and raids, alcohol valued at about Rs 84.89 lakh, along with other items—drugs and narcotics worth Rs 13.27 lakh, precious metals like gold and silver totaling Rs 14.69 lakh, and a range of giveaways from electronic tablets to vehicles.

‘Note for Vote’ Scenes

Yet, not every craving is for a stiff drink. This election cycle, Congress and the BRS hopefuls handed out wads of cash as liberally as campaign fliers. Word spread quickly: votes had a going rate, starting around Rs 5,000 and climbing to Rs 20,000. Homes with five or more eligible voters…they snagged a cool lakh—a group discount for democracy. As one voter quipped, waving a new Rs 500 note, “It’s like a reverse auction. We’re just waiting to see who pays best.” Critics argue these habits erode the very base of democracy. Still, let’s be honest—supporters, probably juggling both a drink and a stack of bills, claim it keeps participation high. Maybe they have a point, even if that means most “involvement” happens at the bottom of a glass or inside a fat envelope.

Now, Telangana has handed authority to its freshly minted local leaders. Here’s hoping their decisions are clearer than the typical voter’s vision on Election Day—though that might be wishful thinking, given the citywide hangover that followed.