The Left Democratic Front (LDF), if voted to power, will look into the controversial decisions taken by the State government during its last phase, including land deals, CPI(M) State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has said.
Taking part in a meet-the-press programme organised by the Ernakulam Press Club here on Wednesday, Mr. Balakrishnan said it appeared that Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was behind the moves to allocate around 2,800 acres of government land to various real estate groups and individuals.
Even after cancelling the decisions following a public outcry, the Chief Minister was defending the decisions, which led to the doubt that he was behind the controversial decisions. On the liquor policy of the CPI(M), Mr. Balakrishnan said the party always stood for temperance and not for prohibition. The liquor policy of the State government was decided on an annual basis and if elected to power, the new government would take a decision on the issue. Prohibition had been proved ineffective across the country and even in Attapady of Kerala. A mischievous campaign that the LDF was in favour of reopening the bars was carried out by the political opponents, he said. The party had also welcomed the closure of 418 bars by the UDF government.
However, the government closed the bar for collecting bribe and not for reducing the availability of alcohol. The party was of the firm view that the availability of alcohol should be reduced as the use of alcohol and drugs was on the rise.
Concerted campaigns needed to be undertaken for creating awareness, the CPI(M) leader said.
