Former Union Minister and PMK MP Anbumani Ramadoss on Wednesday said if DMK treasurer M.K. Stalin was genuinely interested in prohibition he must prevail upon his party leaders who were owning distilleries, to close their units.
“If you have real concern for the people of the State, you should prepare yourself first. Direct your partymen to close their distilleries. Let people get relief at least on August 15,” said Mr Anbumani in an open letter to Mr Stalin.
Citing the regulations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) that political parties and leaders involved in evolving policies on tobacco and alcohol should not run tobacco and liquor industry, Mr. Anbumani said the DMK’s stand on the issue proved conflict of interest.
He said people doubted DMK leader M. Karunanidhi’s announcement that he would implement prohibition if his party was elected to power because they were of the opinion that it was an “election gimmick.”
Reacting to Mr Stalin’s earlier remark that distilleries would be automatically closed once prohibition was in place, Mr Anbumani said it had only proved that the DMK was more interested in generating revenue from distilleries.
“Even if your statement is taken seriously, it will take another 10 months to close liquor units. But the damage to be caused to people and the environment would be enormous,” he said.
