Minister can keep his threat to himself, no discussions held with opposition on extending bar hours, says VD Satheesan

THRISSUR: Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan said that neither the government nor the Excise Minister had held any discussions with the opposition regarding the extension of bar hours.

"We knew that the bar owners were already trying to unify the bar hours. The bar owners had approached us a year ago seeking support in this regard. The opposition has no role in extending the hours. It is not the bar owners who should tell the government the opinion of the opposition. However, the opposition was not aware that the government was taking such a decision. Even the LDF convener or leaders were not aware of this. Then how will the opposition know? There is a mystery behind the decision being taken just before the elections without putting it in the cabinet and without discussing it with anyone," V.D. Satheesan alleged.

"The Excise Minister has not discussed this issue with anyone in the opposition. The Excise Minister has not spoken to me in the recent past, either through a phone call or in person in the Assembly. The minister's statement is a way to escape when he got in trouble. The minister can keep his threat 'it will be better not to reveal more details,' to himself," the opposition leader warned.