Kerala government reverses bakery wine licence, sparks political row

Kerala's excise department's decision to allow a bakery to stock and sell fortified wine has triggered a political controversy, forcing the government into a swift reversal. Excise Minister M. Liju revoked the licence following concerns raised about the order, which had not been coordinated with the Chief Minister's office.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan publicly flagged the order as "unconsulted," indicating a breakdown in coordination within the UDF government. The incident highlighted tensions within the coalition as different departments appeared to operate without adequate communication channels.

The opposition Communist Party of India (Marxist) seized on the episode, with party leader M.B. Rajesh criticizing the government's reversal as "a political stunt." The CPI(M) suggested the U-turn was merely an attempt at damage control rather than a principled policy decision.

The controversy underscores challenges faced by the Kerala government in maintaining administrative coherence, with critics questioning the efficiency of decision-making processes within the cabinet. Officials have not provided detailed clarification on how the original order was issued without proper consultation.