Chennithala's volte-face: Liquor policy was the boldest decision of UDF

After coming under heavy criticism from his party and the United Democratic Front (UDF) partners, Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala, denied his comments against the liquor policy introduced by the ministry in which he held the Home portfolio.
 

Also read: Kerala liquor policy: Congress leader Chennithala scores a self-goal
 

In a statement on Wednesday, Ramesh Chennithala claimed that he was misinterpreted and clarified that he had no differences with the liquor policy of the UDF. "It is unfortunate that my reply to a question was misinterpreted. The liquor policy was the boldest decisions taken by the UDF government," he said.
 

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On Tuesday, Chennithala drew flak from the Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League for his comments on the liquor policy. In an interview published in Kalakaumudi, a Malayalam weekly, Chennithala was quoted as saying that the liquor policy of the UDF failed to make the desired impact. “It is for the party (Congress) to take a call on reviewing the policy. I will air my views on the policy during the discussion within the party," Chennithala had said in a response to a question on whether he wanted a review of the policy.

Also read :Good news for Kerala tipplers; liquor through Malls soon!
 

Congress state chief VM Sudheeran and Indian Union Muslim League general secretary KPA Majeed strongly objected to the statement of Chennithala, who was the Home Minister in the UDF government that introduced the liquor policy that envisaged implementation of total prohibition in the state in a phased manner.

At the same time, the Left camp was evidently happy about the comments against the liquor policy as it vindicated their stand against it.  Ministers TP Ramakrishnan and AC Moideen welcomed Chennithala’s statement.

• Ramesh Chennithala
• Kerala liquor policy
• trouble in UDF