DMK to prohibit liquor in Tamil Nadu: Stalin

DMK leader M.K.Stalin on Sunday announced that his party would introduce prohibition in Tamil Nadu if it came to power in 2016.

Leading a protest here demanding the introduction of prohibition in the state, Stalin said: "When DMK comes to power it will introduce liquor prohibition in the state as its first job."

The declaration was made as DMK held a state-wide agitation demanding ban on liquor sale on Sunday.

In Chennai, the protest was led by Stalin and in districts the party functionaries led the agitation.

He said DMK chief M. Karunanidhi would fulfil the promises he gave to the people and cited the writing off of farm loans, free power to farmers, metro rail, one kilo rice for Re.1 and other schemes.

He said in 2006-2011 during DMK rule, the Tamil Nadu government had closed down several liquor shops/bars located near places of worhship, schools and others.

Stalin said Karunandhi, the then chief minister, had also issued a statement that after 2009 no new liquor shops would be opened.

Agreeing that DMK lifted the prohibition in 1971, Stalin said in 1973 the DMK government had closed the toddy shops and in 1974 the liquor shops.

He said it was the AIADMK government led by late M.G.Ramachandran that allowed toddy and arrack shops to function in the state.

He alleged that the proliferation of state-owned TASMAC liquor shops happened during the AIADMK rule.