Indian Union Muslim League takes credit for state excise policy, invites Left

KOZHIKODE: The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Monday preferred to congratulate itself for Kerala's excise policy that promised to phase out alcohol from the state in 10 years.
A state council meeting of the IUML here observed that the party's bold and unwavering stand to clamp down on liquor sale had resulted in the government's "revolutionary" decision to ban bars.
IUML, with 22 MLAs, is the second largest constituent in the ruling United Democratic Front.
"We are happy that the party could rise up to the occasion on the issue. We stood our stand against renewing the licences of 418 closed bars and our views finally prevailed," IUML national secretary E T Mohammed Basheer told newspersons after the council meet.
The party has also decided to contribute to the planned fund meant to rehabilitate those bar employees who would lose jobs.
A political resolution industries minister P K Kunhalikutty presented at the meeting condemned alleged attempts being made to create a "minority phobia" and communalize every issue in the state.
"It is unfortunate that some community organisations and even sections of the media are trying to give a communal colour to every decision implemented in the state. Even colours and regions are being associated with certain communities. We feel that such attempts are part of attempts to set the stage for furthering the agenda of the Sangh Parivar," the resolution said.
Incidentally, two major community organizations in the state, the Nair Service Society (NSS) and Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) have been opposed to the prohibition move. While NSS favoured abstinence, rather than prohibition, SNDP felt the government move was to appease minority communities.
The IUML resolution dealing with national politics called for the consolidation of secular parties, including the Left, to counter communal forces that were implementing its divisive agenda in the country.
It said the Left and socialist parties should shed their blind anti-Congress stand to join hands to create a broader platform to prevent the division of secular votes.
"The results of bypolls in Bihar and other states show that a joint platform of secular, Left and progressive forces can thwart the advancement of communal forces," Basheer said.
IUML state president Panakkad Syed Hyderali Shihab Thangal presided over the council meeting. General secretary KPA Majeed was also present at the press conference.