World · India Bureau
CPI(M) Leader Accuses Kerala Government of Liquor Shop Bias
Communist Party of India (Marxist) state secretary Binoy Viswam has alleged that Kerala's Left Democratic Front administration applied inconsistent regulatory standards to toddy shops and bars. The accusation points to what the opposition claims are discriminatory policies in the state's alcohol licensing framework.
LSN India ·
Binoy Viswam, secretary of the CPI(M) Kerala unit, has launched a scathing critique of the previous Left Democratic Front government, claiming it adopted contradictory approaches in regulating traditional toddy shops and modern bars across the state. The senior communist leader contends that the administration maintained a dual standard when implementing alcohol-related policies, disadvantaging one category of establishments while favouring another. Viswam's remarks come amid broader debate in Kerala regarding the regulation of alcohol sales and the licensing regime governing liquor outlets. The assertion reflects tensions within Kerala's political landscape over how alcohol commerce should be regulated in the state, with concerns about the differential treatment of traditional beverage vendors compared to contemporary drinking establishments. The CPI(M) leader's comments are likely to intensify scrutiny of the LDF's governance record on licensing and regulatory matters ahead of upcoming political discourse in the southern state.