UDF backs KM Mani, tough on Ganesh Kumar

Thiruvananthapuram: The crucial UDF meeting on Monday decided not to tweak the liquor policy owing to the stiff opposition from PCC chief V. M. Sudheeran. chief minister Oommen Chandy told reporters after the meeting that the cabinet would take a final decision on making  any practical changes to the liquor policy.

The meeting also expressed support to finance minister K.M. Mani who is facing a Vigilance probe in the bargate scam.

Though Mr Chandy claimed at the press meet  that all the allies supported the government’s earlier decision to have phased prohibition, it has not gone down well with a few of the allies.

Muslim League leaders maintained that they would oppose tweaking the liquor policy with a ‘dissenting note’ in the cabinet if the other allies agreed for it.

“The UDF has entrusted the cabinet to take a final call on continuing Sundays as dry days. The government has also decided to entrust the tourism and labour secretaries to study the impact of the liquor policy on the two sectors.

But  Sudheeran was not convinced and wanted to have a more comprehensive study,”  Mr Chandy told  reporters.  He also informed that barring KC (B), the rest of the allies agreed with the government’s decision to reduce the liquor availability so that total prohibition could be implemented by October 2,  2024.

Regarding Mr K. M. Mani’s role in the bargate scam, Mr Chandy said the allies rallied behind him and offered him full support.

He added  that the meeting congratulated all the allies for supporting Mr Mani. The meeting also decided not to invite KC (B) MLA K. B. Ganesh Kumar for the parliamentary party meeting of the UDF owing to his  allegations against the PWD minister’s office in the  Assembly.

“The allies felt that Ganesh Kumar had breached the Assembly’s decorum.  The meeting took stock of the situation where his father and KC (B) chairman R. Balakrishna Pillai had disowned him for the allegations,”  added Mr Chandy.