Misquoted in liquor policy review' row, says Ramesh Chennithala

Thiruvananthapuram: A day after his remarks on the liquor policy that caused confusion in Congress and UDF, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala went into a damage control mode saying that he was misquoted.

In an interview to a local news magazine, Chennithala had categorically stated that the UDF could not benefit out of its liquor policy during recent Assembly polls. He indirectly meant that the liquor policy was not accepted by the people of Kerala which was evident from the huge mandate received by the LDF in the polls.

With Chennithala’s remarks causing embarrassment for the UDF especially KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran who had maintained a strong stand on the issue and opposed any roll back of hte policy, the opposition leader was forced to change his stand. The opposition leader said the liquor policy was finalised after detailed discussion in the Congress and UDF and there was no going back on it.

Referring to the remarks attributed to him, Chennithala said that he had been misquoted and his statement had been taken out of context. However, the opposition leader reiterated that the UDF had not gained from liquor policy in the recent polls.

Chennithala said that the UDF and Congress would strongly oppose any move to reopen the shut bars in the state.

The Muslim League had also come out strongly against any dilution in UDF’s liquor policy. The League had also categorically stated that the UDF did not not lose because of its liquor policy.

On the other hand, Chennithala’s statement had come as a shot in the arm of LDF which has been planning to review the UDF policy. Finance minister Thomas Isaac and tourism minster A C Moideen have strongly advocated change in the policy as it had already wreaked havoc in tourism sector.