Thiruvananthapuram: Congress in Kerala feels it has won the first round of the May 16 Assembly polls with CPI(M) being “forced” to accept its liquor policy as it fears a “backlash”.
With CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury stating that if LDF comes to power, there would be no reversal of decisions already taken on the liquor policy, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said it was a “setback” for the Marxist party in the state.
Controversy over the liquor policy arose after CPI(M) politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan asserted that the Marxist led front was not in favour of total prohibition, but abstinence.
However, following a hue and cry from various quarters, including even the Catholic Church, asking it to make its stand clear, Yechury had to intervene to clarify that if voted to power, LDF would not reverse any of the decisions already taken by the Kerala government on the liquor policy.
Asked about CPI(M)’s clarification, Chandy said: “I am happy that a situation has come that they (CPI-M)) have to support UDF’s stand. If it is sincere, I welcome it. But it is a strong setback to the CPI(M) state leadership. It is a big victory for our policy”, he told PTI in an interview at Cliff House, his official residence here.
“The CPI(M) led LDF has been forced to change its policy on liquor due to the fear of a backlash in the elections”, Chandy said.
It is by joining hands with a section of the liquor lobby, CPI(M) had planned the “most cruel tactics” to attack the government, he alleged, referring to the recent sexual abuse charge by solar scam accused Saritha S Nair against him.
“UDF’s policy is practical and its aim is to reduce liquor consumption and have total prohibition in 10 years.” The Kerala government had closed 730 bars as part of its policy and 10 per cent of the outlets of the state owned Beverages corporation were to be closed down every year.
“I feel it is not practical to implement total prohibition at one stretch. It is not the revenue loss which is important. I am not considering revenue from sales of liquor as an income of the government.
Kerala had earned Rs 7,000 crore as revenue from liquor sales. However, this is only in the accounts books. But the damage caused to the social sector due to liquor consumption — suicides, health issues, accidents was over three to four times more than revenue earned.
“The loss due to liquor consumption is beyond estimates in the social sector. This is not the only issue plaguing total prohibition. Availability of spurious liquor is an issue. We need enough time to bring back those who have become addicts to normal life. For that we need awareness campaign,” he said.
