CPM keeps its options open

Thiruvananthapuram: A day after Pinarayi Vijayan gave a categorical assurance against tinkering with Vizhinjam Seaport Project if his party came to power, the CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan sounded non-committal on extending blanket support to UDF Government’s liquor policy which aims at total prohibition in a phased manner.

Kodyeri told DC that they were in favour of policy on the lines of smoking ban which emphasised on awareness. “Smoking incidence has come down significantly after ban in public places. It was achieved through awareness programmes. A similar route should have been taken in liquor policy. We are for abstinence and not prohibition,” he said.

Kodiyeri claimed even A K Antony had expressed concern over the outcome of ban. “Antony said about 30 per cent of the households in the state had turned into bars. People who used to drink in bars have now turned their houses into permanent drinking joints,” he said and added that there was in increase in the incidence of people drinking in vehicles what is now popularly known as “mobile bars.”

When asked if LDF came to power will it alter the UDF liquor policy, he said, “It would be decided at the appropriate time.”

Responding to KPCC president V M Sudheeran’s dare to CPM to make its stand clear on the liquor policy, Kodiyeri said. “Sudheeran should go through our well stated position on liquor policy before making silly statements.”

Many in the LDF believe that though Supreme Court had upheld the closure of bars, total prohibition could not be seen as a viable option to check excessive liquor consumption in society. “Past experience tells us that prohibition is not a practical option. It would only open floodgates for spurious liquor which was more dangerous," said Kodiyeri.