Kerala’s controversial liquor policy is set to trigger another round of tussle within the Congress in the wake of fresh licences issued to six more five-star bars.
The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government has already closed down all bars outside of the five-star category.
Even as Chief Minister Oommen Chandy pointed out that licences were issued in accordance with existing guidelines, there has been criticism that the move is against the government’s proclaimed stance favouring phased prohibition. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president V M Sudheeran called for a re-look on the fresh licences. Sudheeran’s anti-liquor stance had earlier led to rifts within the Congress and the UDF.Chandy, however, maintained there was “no confusion” on the liquor policy.
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