Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a blistering tirade against the AIADMK regime for its liquor policy and accused the rulers of ignoring the voices of the poor.
The speech comes at a time when the Congress in Tamil Nadu is being viewed as getting closer to the DMK ahead of the Assembly polls.
In a 40-minute speech to a large crowd on the ‘G’ Corner grounds, Mr. Gandhi accused the ruling AIADMK government of listening to the “liquor lobby” alone and turning a blind eye to the plight of the poor.
“The sad reality is that the current rulers are ignoring every single voice in Tamil Nadu. But, they are listening only to their own voices and the liquor lobby,” he said, amid boisterous response from the crowd that stood under the pouring rain.
While he did not take the name of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, Mr. Gandhi spent substantial time targeting the administration. He said the State had generated Rs. 30,000 crore last year from selling liquor. This meant the population was spending an average of Rs. 10,000 per individual on liquor, which went to the exchequer.
The Congress would bring in a new liquor policy if voted to power, he added.
He asked the people to provide a chance to the Congress to bring back the golden rule of Kamaraj.
