Congress accuses Kerala ministers of ‘lies’ on alcohol policy and demands judicial inquiry

Kochi: The Congress on Sunday continued its attack on the Left government in Kerala over its liquor policy, accusing Excise Minister MB Rajesh and Tourism Minister PA Mohammed Riyas of “lying” to the public by claiming that there was no discussion on scrapping the norm. dry day.”

The opposition party is questioning Chief Minister Pinarai Vijayan’s silence on the matter and asking why no inquiry into the allegations has been ordered despite receiving the complaint.

The Congress also urged the government to announce a judicial inquiry into the allegations and sack the excise minister.

The criticism comes after reports that the state government is considering scrapping the “dry day” norm (which prohibits the sale of alcohol in the state on the first day of every calendar month), sparking a political storm in the state.

While the Congress-led UDF accused the LDF government of accepting bribes to “favour” bar owners, the Left claimed it was yet to hold any talks on its alcohol policy.

Addressing a press conference here, Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly VD Satheesan rejected the claims of the Tourism and Excise Ministers that there was no discussion on the ‘dry day’ norm.

Both ministers uttered “blatant lies”. He alleged, then alleged, that the meetings were held at government level, after which bar owners began collecting money for a “favorable alcohol policy.”

He also warned that an intense agitation would be launched against the “bar scam”.

The issue of scrapping the ‘dry day’ policy has sparked a flurry of controversy after an audio clip was aired on TV channels purporting to show a member of the Bar allegedly calling on other members to pay money for a ‘favorable alcohol policy’.

The opposition Congress-led UDF leveled allegations that the Left government had demanded Rs 20 crore from bar owners for pursuing policies favorable to them and demanded the resignation of Minister Rajesh.

Setting aside the opposition’s allegations and demands, Rajesh said the state government is yet to hold any talks on its alcohol policy.