Won’t accept votes from liquor sellers, says Sudheeran

Kochi: The Congress party does not want votes or money of those in liquor business during polls, Kerala PCC President V M Sudheeran Monday said.

"We do not want either the vote or notes of those in liquor business," Sudheeran told a meet-the-press programme, organised by the Ernakulam Press Club here.

"This is Congress party's policy. During election, we do not want vote or money of Abkari contractors," he asserted.

A formal announcement in this regard will be made at an appropriate forum, he added.

The ruling Congress-led UDF government had recently announced its liquor policy as per which government proposes to introduce prohibition in phases in the next 10 years.

On the bribery allegations raised by bar owners against state Finance minister, K M Mani, he said the allegations were 'baseless'. They have failed so far to produce any 'credible evidence' before investigating officials, Sudheeran said.

The UDF's policy was 'total prohibition'. After the UDF meeting, which took a decision in this regard, Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy, had announced that total prohibition would be introduced in phases in the next 10 years. All the UDF leaders had unanimously decided on this, he said.

Asked about the proposed agitation by the LDF seeking Mani's resignation, he said the CPI-M and CPI should first settle the differences between them.

"There are differences between the top leadership of the CPI-M and CPI on what sort of inquiry is to be ordered to look into the allegations against Mani," he said.

On the vigilance probe against suspended PWD secretary T O Sooraj, Sudheeran said "those who are corrupt should be brought to book. Corruption free civil service is UDF's policy."

Sudheeran is leading a 'Janapaksham' yatra from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram since November 4 highlighting various issues, including government's liquor policy.