'New liquor policy has helped UDF'

The State council meeting of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has come to the conclusion that the new liquor policy of the United Democratic Front (UDF) government benefited the party.

However, the government should take steps to rehabilitate the workers following the closure of bars, a resolution to this effect was adopted at a meeting held here on Monday.

The meeting adopted a resolution stating that the allotment of new batches for Plus Two course had benefited the students in north Kerala.

It decided to strength grassroots-level functioning so as to equip the party for the three-tier local body polls in the State next year.

A resolution moved by party president E. Ahamed accused the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre of attempting to polarise the nation on communal lines on the issue of abrogation of Article 370 that gave special status to Kashmir. Such political stupidity would result in India getting isolated in United Nations.

The meeting also criticised Union Minister for Minority Affairs Najma Heptulla for doubting whether the Muslim community belonged to the minority community.

The resolution called upon the Leftist and socialist parties to shed its anti-Congress attitude and join hands to foil attempts of communal forces to destroy the secular fabric of the country.

Party treasurer P.K. Kunhalikutty presented a resolution deploring the political and social organisations of trying to implement the agenda of the Sangh Parivar in the State.

The State councildecided to step up its campaign against alcohol and substance abuse in the State. Party State unit president Panakkad Sayed Hyderali Shihab Thangal presided over the meeting.