CHENNAI: Accusing the AIADMK regime of going back on late J. Jayalalithaa’s promise of prohibition in Tamil Nadu, the TTV faction on Wednesday said the administration was happy by pushing TN’s “womenfolk to tears” by opening more TASMAC shops.
In an article in ‘Dr Namadhu MGR, the formerly AIADMK mouthpiece now controlled by the family of V.K. Sasikala, the Dhinakaran faction said Jayalalithaa's dream of prohibition was shattered and the “Palaniswami regime is getting happy by pushing TM womenfolk to tears.”
The article alleged that the government had not opened any rehabilitation centres as part of efforts to close all state-run retail liquor outlets as promised by Jayalalithaa during the 2016 assembly polls.
“People will trounce the ruling regime in the upcoming local body elections,” the article said.
Describing Palaniswami and deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam as “symbols of betrayal”, the daily said the recent R K Nagar bypoll victory for Dhinakaran proved that “betrayal cannot win.”
During the 2016 poll campaign, Jayalalithaa had said prohibition cannot be implemented at a single stroke. Assuring staggered liquor ban, she had said the number of liquor vends would be reduced and their working hours cut short. She also had assured opening rehabilitation centres to bring in prohibition.
Jayalalithaa followed up on her promise after her party was voted back to power in 2016.
