In Tamil Nadu, prohibition has emerged as a burning issue. The entire Opposition has taken a strong stand against liquor. But despite this consistent position, parties are reluctant to come together on a common platform in their fight, given the shadow of Assembly election looming large.
After the death of Gandhian Sasi Perumal, MDMK general secretary Vaiko called for a State-wide bandh on August 4. Leading a protest in his native of Kalingapatti, Mr. Vaiko demanded the immediate imposition of a ban on liquor sales.
This found resonance in a statement issued by DMK chief M. Karunanidhi, who said the government should respond to the demand of the people. One would have expected an overwhelming response to the call, given that the entire Opposition has been talking in one voice on the issue of prohibition. But such united action did not materialise.
In a statement, Tamil Manila Congress president G.K. Vasan categorically said his party will not back the bandh as it would cause inconvenience to the public. On the other hand, MDMK sources confirmed that the DMK and the DMDK, the two main opposition parties in Tamil Nadu, have not been approached for support.
PMK founder S. Ramadoss refused to back the bandh, citing lack of consultation as the primary reason. This statement brought to the fore several issues, including the tug-of-war on who should take the credit for spearheading the fight against liquor.
CPI (M) MLA, K. Balakrishnan, whose party was one of the first to extend its support for the bandh, said the election season had much to do with the reluctance of some parties to come on the a platform to fight for a common cause.
“There is a feeling that by associating with the protests on such a large and sensitive problem, they might be identified with a particular front. This might affect their alliance calculations for the Assembly elections,” he said.
The DMK jumping on the prohibition bandwagon may have further complicated the issue at a time when parties are keeping their options open. Significantly, the AIADMK, the ruling party, is yet to take a formal stand on the issue of liquor or in countering opposition charges.
However, a senior TMC leader, on condition of anonymity, blamed the “selective mobilisation” of certain parties for lack of common action by the opposition. “If they felt this was a common cause, all parties should have been invited. It seems the process was selective,” the leader said.
Admitting that parties had to be careful in selecting “allies” during the election season, he said joining hands on one issue and taking contradictory position on another would affect the credibility of the entire group.
BJP support
Meanwhile, State BJP president, Tamilisai Soundararajan, said her party would support the bandh in Kanyakumari alone. She has also wanted the government to call for an-all party meeting to discuss the situation prevailing in the State following the death of Sasi Perumal.
The Congress, on the other hand, extended its full support to the State-wide bandh.
