Chandy’s masterstroke big win for ‘A’ group
Kerala CM Oomen Chandy. (Photo: DC/File)
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has scored a thumping victory in the games played out by the Congress groups over the controversy triggered by the closure of the 418 bars. He has managed to silence all his critics with the UDF decision not to reopen the bars and enforce total prohibition gradually.
Though it was KPCC chief V.M. Sudheeran who had been campaigning tirelessly for liquor ban, Mr Chandy has stolen a march over him with Thursday’s historic decision, which will be approved by the large majority of the people.
Group leaders had been openly attacking each other during the last few days giving the impression that Mr Chandy was for opening the closed bars. But in one stroke, he has removed all such impressions.
A top UDF leader told DC that Chandy was in a jubilant mood before and after the UDF meeting. He had come well-prepared to answer all the arguments in favour and against made by the allies over the liquor ban. KC (M) chairman K. M. Mani had to retract his earlier statement that all the 418 bars should be allowed to open.
“It was Sudheeran who scored a goal initially. Then the remaining leaders in the front also started scoring goals. But finally, Mr Chandy in a penalty shootout scored a flurry of goals. Ultimately, Mr Chandy won whereas Sudheeran sported a vanquished look,” said a leader.
Mr Chandy told the UDF meeting that it was he who had initiated the first anti-liquor programme in 1985 while holding the UDF convener post. Accompanied by P. S. Sreenivasan and M. Kamalam, he had attended the fast conducted by prohibitionist Kumarapillai before a toddy shop at Thoppumpady in Ernakulam.
KC (J) chairman Johnny Nelloor initiated the discussion on the closing of 312 existing bars. Mr Sudheeran commented that they were worse than cattle shed and Mr Chandy noted down the various points being made by UDF leaders. The Chandy camp was keen that it should not be seen as supporters of the bar lobby. The leaders held a flurry of discussions on how to emerge victorious from the damage suffered by the leadership on the issue.
( Source : dc )
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