The Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) is yet to frame a collective stand on the new liquor policy announced by the UDF government, though individual leaders have broadly welcomed it.
The alliance has so far not responded collectively, though CPI(M) State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan and his CPI counterpart Pannian Ravindran have broadly welcomed the government decision. When asked, LDF convener Vaikom Viswan said the LDF State committee would take up the issue only at its next meeting. The CPI(M) State secretariat and State committee are slated to meet here from tomorrow. Given the importance of the development, it would figure in the discussions, he said.
The LDF, its leaders said, is far from convinced about the sincerity of the government in enforcing prohibition or the ability of the State machinery to ensure that. Its worries hinge on two issues: the possibility of such a clampdown triggering bootlegging on a larger scale in the State and the workers of bars and those dependent on the liquor industry becoming victims of the current policy thrust.
“We had heard recently about how a house where Gandhiji lived had been turned into a hooch den,” pointed out Mr. Viswan, expressing concern about how the policy would play out in the days to come.
Nowhere has prohibition succeeded and it could be no different in Kerala, unless a great amount of precaution is taken, he said.
The CPI State secretary said the Left was of the view that what the State needed was increasing abstinence and not prohibition. He had himself stated that while the decision to shut down the bars was welcome, the effort should to be mount a massive campaign against liquor and encourage consumption of lighter liquor.
The CPI, he said, also wanted the government to roll out a time-bound action plan for rehabilitation of those who stand to lose their employment on account of the present decision, Mr. Ravindran said.
