THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: PCC chief V. M. Sudheeran had his way on the liquor policy at the UDF meeting on Monday with his emphatic declaration that under no circumstances he would allow tweaking of the liquor policy as announced by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in the Assembly.
Although allies like KC (J), CMP and JSS suggested amendment to the liquor policy, especially regarding dry days on Sundays, Mr Sudheeran shot them down.
Though Mr Sudheeran found no supporters for his stand, he remained firm and demanded that a comprehensive study be initiated on the impact caused by prohibition.
A senior UDF leader told DC, “Sudheeran has a feeling that he is the only leader in the UDF which makes him take a strong stand on the liquor policy.”
According to UDF sources, CMP’s C. P. John, KC (J) chairman Johnny Nelloor and JSS’s A. N. Rajan Babu wanted to have a practical approach to the liquor policy, but Mr Sudheeran never agreed.
“When the talks on the liquor policy got prolonged, there was not much discussion on the bargate scam. Mr K.M. Mani did say a bit emotionally that his party which he built brick by brick over the last five decades had come crumbling down, ” said a UDF leader.
He also added that Mr Chandy expressed his apprehension on Mr Mani being slapped with a Vigilance case. After the current session of the Assembly gets over on December 18, the date of the next UDF meeting will be decided which will finalise the paddy reclamation Bill.
