Chandy again slams Rohatgi for appearing for bar owners

For the second time in two weeks, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Thursday questioned the propriety of Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi is appearing on behalf of bar owners opposing the state's new liquor policy.

Chandy attacked Rohatgi after the media pointed out that Kerala High Court's Justice Alexander Thomas had Thursday, in the course of a case, said the chief minister cannot question the attorney general appearing in a case at the Supreme Court against the state government.

"Our country follows a federal system and in the directive principles of the constitution, it is clear that the centre should support the state, as in this case, the centre is not at all a party. In this particular case, we feel that the decision of our liquor policy is going to benefit the people of the state as through it, we will bring down the availability of liquor. Hence the centre should support the state," he told reporters here after a cabinet meeting.

Chandy said that he has already written to the prime minister expressing the state's displeasure at Rohatgi appearing for the bar owners, who have questioned the liquor policy, wherein barring 24 five star hotels, all other hotels with bars have been closed since the beginning of this fiscal.

"I am yet to hear from the prime minister," he said.

This case will now come up before the apex court on July 28 and it has to be seen if Rohatgi appears against the state government.