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Business News/ Politics / Policy/  Assembly elections prompt Kerala parties to decide stance on liquor ban
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Assembly elections prompt Kerala parties to decide stance on liquor ban

Congress-led UDF seen continuing alcohol ban; CPM-led LDF may curb consumption in a phased manner, instead of a total prohibition

A file photo shows a Toddy shop in Kochi, Kerala. The liquor ban issue is important to the residents of Kerala, who consume more alcohol than people in any other Indian state. Photo: AFPPremium
A file photo shows a Toddy shop in Kochi, Kerala. The liquor ban issue is important to the residents of Kerala, who consume more alcohol than people in any other Indian state. Photo: AFP

Calicut: In the run-up to 16 May-state assembly elections in Kerala, there is one particular question that many voters want answered: just where do the main parties stand on banning alcohol in this liquor-loving state?

They have their answer now.

If voters in Kerala bring back the ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) for a second time, the ongoing alcohol ban in almost all bars will continue, according to Congress leader who attended a meeting to finalise the election manifesto of the UDF on Wednesday.

The alternative, the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), will promise to curb alcohol consumption in a phased manner, instead of a total prohibition, according to a CPM leader who attended a similar meeting of the LDF on Tuesday.

The LDF is poised to win a majority of 89 seats in the 140-member house, according to an India Today-CVoter survey published on 4 March.

The issue is important to the residents of Kerala, who consume more alcohol than people in any other Indian state. Per capita consumption is pegged at more than eight litres per person per year. The current government imposed gradual prohibition from 1 April 2014, at an estimated loss of 1,800 crore to the exchequer, citing the risk to public health from alcohol.

But CPM politburo member Pinaray Vijayan, who is thought to be a chief ministerial candidate for the LDF, said total prohibition over a period of 10 years, the objective of the present liquor policy, is impractical.

“Our policy will ensure abstinence from alcohol... Prohibition is an impractical idea. It has not worked in any state," he told reporters on Wednesday.

However, the LDF is treading cautiously as it does not want to lose votes on such a sensitive topic. There are no plans to mention whether bars closed down under the present liquor ban would be allowed to reopen, said the first LDF leader mentioned above requesting anonymity.

“We don’t want unnecessary attention to be diverted to the liquor policy as the party is unsure whether taking a pro or negative stand will win votes," he said.

More than 700 bars were forced to shut down by the UDF as part of its liquor policy. The remaining have faced a tough time, as tourism footfalls have declined, according to the bar owners’ association in Kerala, which fought the liquor policy at the Supreme Court.

“Congress will stick to the liquor policy as it has become a prestige issue for them... LDF is silent on specific things... but on the other hand they are giving signals by saying prohibition is impractical ... I feel they (LDF) will do something at least for the sake of tourism," said Pradeep Jose, district president Kerala Bar Hotel Association.

The LDF is supposed to officially announce the manifesto on 21 April. The UDF is also expected to officially declare their manifesto around the same time.

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Published: 06 Apr 2016, 06:18 PM IST
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