Kerala LDF indicates a change in liquor policy

trivandrum — Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) has indicated a review of the phased prohibition currently in force in Kerala if they come to power in the state.

CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan, a strong contender for the post of chief minister, said that the LDF would pursue their policy of bringing down consumption of liquor through abstinence.

Vijayan told reporters that the opposition would make its stand on the liquor policy clear in its election manifesto to be released on April 21. He said that the LDF had decided to stick to its policy as prohibition was found to be a failure wherever it was implemented.

He said that the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government had taken the decision to introduce phased prohibition without studying the impact of the prohibition introduced years ago in the tribal belt of Attappadi in Palghat district. He pointed out that the prohibition had led to free flow of illicit liquor in the area.

The party secretary said the LDF will base its policy on the recommendations of the A.P. Udhayabhanu Commission appointed in 1981 by the then UDF government headed by K. Karunakaran. The commissions had not recommended a total ban on liquor.

It found that prohibition of liquor was practically impossible.