Chief Minister Jayalalithaa asserted in the Assembly on Thursday that she was determined to implement prohibition in phases in Tamil Nadu even as she harped again on the fact that prohibition was first lifted in the State in 1971 when DMK president M. Karunanidhi was the Chief Minister.
“We have reduced the business hours of retail liquor shops by two hours and shut down 500 liquor shops as soon we came to power again. So, it is this Government under me which is truly concerned about prohibition,” Ms. Jayalalithaa said to the loud thumping of desks by AIADMK members.
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She recalled prohibition was first lifted in 1971. Even in 2007 when several parties demanded implementation of prohibition in the Assembly, the then Chief Minister Mr. Karunanidhi had said the menace of illicit liquor couldn’t be controlled and the only way to control it was to produce quality liquor in the State.
DMK members opposed the remarks and their Deputy Floor Leader M. Duraimurugan sought a chance to speak. On being denied a chance, the DMK members staged a walkout from the House.
Earlier, when Prohibition and Excise Minister Thangamani was giving his reply, Ms. Jayalalithaa intervened to say, “The Minister said everyone knew what the DMK had said and done in the past and left it at that. The present younger generation is not aware of the complete details. So I am seeking the Minister through the Speaker to say it was Mr. Karunanidhi who lifted prohibition which was in implementation”.
When DMK members objected, Ms. Jayalalithaa said she was well within the House Rules to convey her comments to the Minister through the Speaker.
Mr. Thangamani, who resumed his speech, said neither the DMK nor Mr. Karunanidhi could talk about prohibition in the State.
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