Dry law is our aim, says Jayalalithaa

Chennai: Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Thursday asserted that she is firm on implementing prohibition in phases. She attacked the DMK on the issue, citing its leader M. Karunanidhi’s remarks in 2007 against the concept of prohibition.

Recalling Karunanidhi’s speech in the Assembly that year, she said the DMK leader had said the state should manufacture quality liquor to compete with other countries in prohibition. Otherwise, the state could not succeed in implementing prohibition and the international circumstances and culture supported this idea, he had said.

She pointed out that it was Karunanidhi’s opinion on prohibition. “But, I am firm in implementing prohibition in phases. So, I reduced the timing of retail liquor shops by two hours, besides closing 500 shops. My government is truly concerned with bringing prohibition”.

When the DMK members walked out after her remarks, she said “Evicting the DMK members will cause difficulty for the members as well as the security personnel. Just two words are enough to drive away the DMK members from the House. They are running away at the mention of Katchatheevu or prohibition”.   

Earlier, electricity, excise and prohibition minister P. Thangamani, who was replying to the discussion on demand for grants to his ministry, recalled that Karunanidhi, when he became the chief minister in 1971, lifted prohibition. At this juncture, the CM intervened and asked the minister to recall Karunanidhi’s move on prohibition fully.

At this point, deputy leader of Opposition K. Duraimurugan rose to say something, but Speaker P. Dhanapal said he could speak after the minister had completed his speech. DMK members rose in support of Duraimurugan asking the Speaker to allow their leader to speak. The DMK members persisted with their demand for some time and walked out.

The minister, who continued his speech, referred to Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin’s remarks that AIADMK members are slaves and asserted that they are slaves to the ‘affection of Amma’. He asserted that the AIADMK members would carry out her orders like soldiers and hand out 100 per cent victory to her in the local body elections.

Duraimurugan told reporters outside the House that they were not being allowed to speak in the Assembly and challenged the AIADMK for a debate on Katchatheevu and prohibition.