Speaking to media persons in the wake of criticisms for Mr Poojary’s statement (that the Congress would lift ban on arrack if Congress came to power) here on Tuesday, he reiterated that the ban imposed by BJP on arrack has resulted in doubling the income of State exchequer and that it has not helped the poor people.

“The sale of liquor has gone up steeply and the profit for state exchequer too has gone up accordingly. There is no need for such hypocrisy. If you impose total ban on liquor, I too will support you,” Mr Poojary told the BJP. 

“Let them (BJP) not fool people by saying that they would ban liquor in a phased manner”, he added.

Citing an example of how arrack/liquor ruins poor families, Mr Poojary said that those who were consuming arrack by paying Rs 12 have started to consume liquor by paying Rs 45.

Flays media

To a query on his reported statement (in Madikeri on Monday) that he was an aspirant for the post of chief minister, Mr Poojary said that he never issued any such statement. “I have denied the chance once and  will never be a CM candidate”, he added.