Vowing to take forward his campaign against liquor in Tamil Nadu, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Vaiko on Monday maintained that the accused involved in most of the heinous crimes, particularly rape and murder, act under the influence of alcohol.
“This is an apolitical campaign. I am keeping the party away from the ‘padayatra’. Thousands of poor women thanked me for taking up this noble cause. I will not rest till total prohibition is clamped in the State. Even in the sensational rape-cum-murder in New Delhi, the accused had consumed alcohol before committing the crime,” he said.
Mr. Vaiko, who went on a ‘padayatra’ across several districts to sensitise people to the evils of consuming liquor, said the evil habit had ruined a large number of families over the years. Youth taking to drinking liquor will destabilise the family and society. “We have to stop this at all cost…leaders like Periyar, Kamaraj and Rajaji voiced for banning liquor in Tamil Nadu. I am of the view that consumption of alcohol directly contributes to an increase in crimes.”
Various resolutions were passed at the meet. Mr. Vaiko said the ruling AIADMK had failed to protect the interests of farmers. Demanding that Tamil Nadu be declared as a drought-hit State, he demanded compensation to all farmers who suffered losses.
The meet urged the State to close down special refugee camps and demanded a rollback on the increase in prices of petroleum products.
After chairing the party’s 21st general council meeting here, Mr. Vaiko said the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government was colluding with Sri Lanka president Mahinda Rajapaksa by inviting him to India.
“I have decided to lead an agitation and gherao the residence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on February 8,” he said.
