'LDF government will not repeat what UDF government did during its term'; liquor consumption has come down in state, says MV Govindan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM state secretary MV Govindan on Friday said that the allegations of bar bribery levelled against the LDF government are baseless. Speaking to the media, Govindan said that neither the government nor the party has started the discussions on the excise policy. He also stated that liquor consumption has come down in the state in recent years.

"Some people are carrying out false campaigns against the government alleging that money is being collected from the bar owners. Opposition Leader VD Satheesan is leading such campaigns even after the Lok Sabha elections. The LDF government will not repeat what the UDF government did during its term. The Left government is not protecting the interests of the rich. It was the Left government that increased the bar license fees from Rs 22 lakhs to Rs 35 lakhs," Govindan said.

"Liquor consumption has come down in the state. The allegations levelled against the government are baseless. There is no reason for Excise Minister MB Rajesh to resign. The party has not taken a decision on scrapping dry days. The government will not take action based on media reports. The CPM is not a party that will formulate policy after taking money from someone," Govindan said.

Govindan also said that the Election Commission is not allowing the government to convene a meeting to deal with the havoc caused by the rain