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Not happy with the proposed changes in the liquor policy by the state Cabinet, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president VM Sudheeran today said the state government had sabotaged the policy that was well accepted by the people of Kerala.
In a statement released today, he said the government had backed out from its earlier stand that was unanimously accepted by the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF).
He said the new changes in the policy were according to the tunes of bar hotel owners and the government had acted against the wishes of the people of Kerala.
He added the Abkari policy announced on August 21 was well accepted by the people of Kerala as it has led to a drop in crime rate and motor accidents in the state.
Strongly contesting the claims of the chief minister Oommen Chandy, he said the government was acting according to a ‘screen play’ prepared by foreign liquor barons.
He cited the report prepared by the labour and tourism secretaries as the best example for sabotaging the policy. “This was prepared in just two days. Based on this, the Cabinet approved the changes. This was a well-orchestrated move by vested interests,” he said.
The Abkari policy has provided a new hope to the people of Kerala, especially to women. But the latest move has fully tarnished the government's image.
Sudheeran added he would not go back from his earlier stand on Abkari policy and the Congress party will march forward with the aim of total prohibition in the state.
The latest development has created a serious crisis both to the Congress party and the UDF. The latest statement by Sudheeran signals an open war against the chief minister, who wants to become the champion of total prohibition. This also created an image clash between the PCC chief and the chief minister. Although Sudheeran has less supporters in the party, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the second largest constituent of the UDF, favour his stand.
IUML general secretary ET Muhamed Basheer today strongly criticised the latest changes in the policy. He said the IUML would strongly act in favour of the original policy announced in August.
Except, a small Sudheeran faction in Congress and IUML all other parties in UDF favour the ‘practical changes’ in the liquor policy. Sudheeran also gets the support of Congress working Committee member, A K Antony.
Since Oommen Chandy is so strong both in the party and the government, the move against him will be futile, at least in the short run. Any way, Sudheeran is not in a position to keep mum on critical issues like liquor, he has to stick on his stands.
Today he was not literally dare to directly address the media, hence the written statement. His body language when he landed in Thriuvananthapuram, briskly cancelling all programmes in Kannur and Kasragod districts showed this and only commented to the media , Please wait.
He said that the issue of unemployment of the employees of the bar hotels should be addressed separately. Under the pretext of this the government had paved the way for opening the 418 bars which were closed for months together.
The statement on the adverse impact on the tourism sector is not according to the realities, he added. Opening of more beer- wine parlours may cause addiction to soft beverages and later to alcoholism among the Youth.
Most of the Christian Churches also strongly criticized the government’s move and Sudheeran also pins his hopes on the support of the christen clergy and the Muslim community in the state.
How Chandy managed to win the support of these minority communities, the KPCC chief is also playing the same ball game now. It is very difficult to assess the mind of Sudheeran, but he definitely targets the chief minister.
Few weeks back he conducted a road show from Kasargod to Thiruvananthapauram, mainly focusing on total prohibition in the state. Through this he became the champion of the anti-alcoholic movement in the state, but the cabinet decisions on Thursday was clearly a humiliation to him as it completely negates his views.
Chief minister was so adamant in making the changes. For Sudheeran there is no other way but to attack his rivals. Although he is not on a better position on the number game in UDF, he strongly believes the mind set of Kerala, especially of women will help him in the long run. So the tussle between the chief minister and the PCC chief is crucial at this juncture as the government faces a series of corruption charges and sexual allegations.
On Thursday the government had decided to withdraw its earlier decision to observe Dry Day on all Sundays as part of the latest Abkari Policy. The government has decided to open more beer - wine parlours and licenses will be given to 418 bars which are closed for the last seven months to run beer-wine parlours.
