Facing heat, Jaya govt may take hard look at liquor shops

With the prohibition protests in the state entering the third week, some parties also toned down their demand of immediate enforcement of prohibition with the talk of “prohibition in a phased manner”.

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Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president EVKS Elangovan Wednesday argued that imposition of prohibition wasn’t possible in a day or two. “We should follow Kerala’s design in implementing prohibition. If the state government is ready to begin with slow steps, we’ll definitely welcome it,” he said.

Interestingly, DMDK leader Vijayakanth — who was the first to suggest prohibition in a ‘phased manner’ — asked CM J Jayalalithaa to make
an announcement on August 15 to reduce the number of liquor shops and their working hours. He even suggested enforcement of the plan from Gandhi Jayanthi (October 2).

Meanwhile, the Congress and the BJP have both decided to intensify their anti-liquor protests in Tamil Nadu in the coming days.

TNCC president Elangovan announced the party’s decision organise hunger strikes against liquor consumption in all districts, towns and panchayats in Tamil Nadu. A state-wide fast to support the prohibition demand would be organised on August 14, the party said.

On Wednesday, BJP state president Tamilisai Soundararajan addressed a protest demonstration in Chennai, declaring her party’s decision to intensify its anti-liquor stir.

Meanwhile, G K Vasan, founder of the Tamil Manila Congress (TMC) also launched a signature campaign against liquor consumption.

The state has seen widespread protests, led by various political parties, to demand total prohibition since the death of activist Sasi Perumal on July 31.

On Monday, the DMK had organised protests across the state demanding immediate enforcement of prohibition. Amid allegations that even DMK leaders, especially former union minister T R Baalu, owned distilleries in the state, DMK had last week clarified that Baalu was not involved in the liquor business and was not responsible for the business done by some of his family members.