Chennai: Joining the issue DMK on enforcement of prohibition in the state, AIADMK on Thursday accused its arch rival Karunanidhi of trying to misled people when Jayalalithaa led government was making all out efforts to make land of Tamils liquor free.
In a reply to DMK chief M. Karunanidhi’s statement that his party would take steps to implement prohibition if voted to power, AIADMK’s mouthpiece Dr Namadhu MGR said that he had made this statement considering the coming Assembly polls. Interestingly, the AIADMK’s response has come in the wake of rumours that DMK chief’s sudden support for prohibition was outdo the state government’s plan.
“It was Karunanidhi who taught an entire generation of Tamils to drink by throwing open arrack and liquor shops, paying no heed to Rajaji’s fervent plea,” the mouthpiece said, adding that Karunanidhi rejected the appeal saying how it was possible to continue the prohibition in Tamil Nadu when it was like a “camphor surrounded by fire”, referring to the absence of any prohibition policy in the neighbouring states.
Recalling Jayalalithaa government banning arrack shop in 1991 after assuming office as Chief Minister for the first time, it pointed out Karunanidhi made “fraudulent” assurances in the 1996 polls that prohibition will be implemented, “but did not move a stone”, then and even during his party’s 2006 rule.
While PMK and MDMK had been for long stressing for implementation of prohibition, DMK recently joined the bandwagon, only to be slammed by PMK and BJP, saying it was done with an eye on assembly elections scheduled in 2016. Liquor sales done through state-run Tasmac outlets bring revenue to government of almost Rs 25,000 crore.
