A bootlegger on the records of the Gujarat Police — Sukha Patel — has made his mark in political arena of Union Territory (UT) Daman, Diu & Nagar Haveli by winning in District Panchayat polls.
Patel not only won, but he made it sure that his entire panel (six seats) wins the election in 12-member Daman district panchayat. He is considered as one of the richest people in Daman, situated on Gujarat and Maharashtra borders. The liquor baron owns chain of bars in the UT. However, he is history-sheeter on the records of Gujarat Police with having numerous charges of bootlegging on him.
The affluent liquor tycoon had floated his own political outfit Rashtriya Janata Party after BJP denied him the post president of Daman BJP. His political outfit got instant success as he not only got six seats out of 12, but two independents also won with his support. Apparently they have decided to give support to Sukha Patel. The two major parties — BJP and Congress —reduced to two seats each.
“We have registered several cases of violation of prohibition law against him registered,” said a police officer in Valsad district.