Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala has accused CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury of political double speak on the issue of reopening closed bars in Kerala.
In an open letter to Mr. Yechury on Friday, Mr. Ramesh pointed out that on April 8, 2016, during the run-up to the State Assembly elections, the CPI(M) general secretary had unequivocally stated that reopening of bars was not on the agenda of the Left Democratic Front.
Mr. Yechury had made the emphatic statement to clarify the “obscurity” regarding LDF’s liquor policy in its election manifesto.
However, the CPI(M)-led government in Kerala was poised to reverse the liquor policy. Closed bars would be reopened. New ones would be issued permits. Liquor would flow in Kerala. Public health would be imperilled. The powerful liquor business lobby would be the sole beneficiary of the new policy.
Mr. Ramesh said the previous United Democratic Front (UDF) government had moved towards prohibition in a phased manner by systematically reducing the availability of liquor.
Even drinkers had reconciled themselves to the new policy. There was widespread and palpable acceptance of UDF’s policy of restricting bars solely to five star hotels. Consumption of liquor slumped. The Opposition leader requested Mr. Yechury to intervene positively in the matter.
