Countering the charge that the DMK may not implement prohibition, DMK president M. Karunanidhi has promised to enforce it in one go if the party comes to power.
“Considering the ills of liquor consumption, our first signature after assuming office (if the DMK is voted to power) will be on implementing total prohibition,” said Mr. Karunanidhi, addressing an election meeting in support of DMK alliance candidates here on Sunday.
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa claimed that she would gradually implement prohibition. “What is that gradual prohibition? We don’t accept that. We are for total prohibition,” Mr. Karunanidhi said.
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Mr. Karunanidhi said many were questioning the DMK’s stance on prohibition. “Though we relaxed prohibition to bolster the fiscal health of the State in the early seventies, it was the DMK that later tightened the sale and took stringent action against errant bootleggers. But, the AIADMK, which succeeded us, allowed sale of arrack and finally it was under their regime that a State government sold liquor,” he said. “Liquor has ruined the people, especially youth. It is essential to stem the slide. We will ensure that no one consumes liquor if we come to power,” Mr. Karunanidhi said. Stating that he was banking on the power of youth to take forward the DMK as a movement, the nonagenarian leader claimed that it was only their confidence that was sustaining him.
In the AIADMK regime, only “jungle raj” prevailed in the State and Ms. Jayalalithaa was ruling only as “acting Chief Minister”, he said.
Staff Reporter writes from Cuddalore:
Addressing a rally here, Mr. Karunanidhi cautioned voters that those who have amassed wealth illegally are likely to entice them with money, and appealed to them to root out the corrupt and pave the way for a flourishing ‘Dravida Nadu’.