The curtains finally came down on the debilitating debate in the Congress over the liquor policy, with Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president V.M. Sudheeran accepting the inevitability of the changes brought to it.
It had become clear at the end of the party-government coordination committee meeting last week that Mr. Sudheeran would have to be reconciled with the changes in the liquor policy, including the decision to give licences to beer and wine parlours.
The issue figured at Saturday’s KPCC executive committee meeting, which ratified the decision of the coordination committee. At one point of time, the differences of opinion had even led to a break down of communication between senior leaders, a fact alluded to by Congress Working Committee member A.K. Antony during his speech at the meeting.
Antony’s plea
Mr. Antony, who attended the meeting after a long gap, urged party leaders to ensure that their differences did not affect the functioning of the party and the government. The differences of opinion on the liquor policy shook the party and the government, creating a feeling that matters were going on an unpredictable course, he said.
He complimented senior leaders for sinking their differences when they were convinced about its negative impact, even while sticking to their respective positions. Factional politics was a reality in the Congress, but factional loyalties should not become dogma.
Personal relations should be nurtured even while holding factional preferences, Mr. Antony said.
Addressing a press conference soon after the meeting, Mr. Sudheeran said the executive had ratified the resolution of the party-government coordination committee meeting on the liquor policy, even while retaining his objections to sanction more beer and wine parlours. He said the KPCC proposed to stick to its stand and continue to work towards the objective of total prohibition.
Mr. Antony urged Mr. Chandy, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, and Mr. Sudheeran to take a united stand on various issues. The party in Kerala was a model for other States.
Therefore, Kerala should be the harbinger of the Congress party’s return to power by recapturing power for a second consecutive term, he said.
KPCC proposes to stick to its stand and continue to work towards the objective of total prohibition, says KPCC president
