After CPI, RJD too voices objection to Palakkad brewery decision

Despite the State government’s attempts to placate the Communist Party of India (CPI), divisions within the Left Democratic Front (LDF) over the brewery row appear to be deepening.

Following the CPI’s opposition, another coalition partner, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), has voiced strong resentment over the failure to discuss the matter within the alliance. The party has convened a leadership meeting on Sunday to decide its official stance on the issue.

Licence renewal

According to Varghese George, general secretary of the RJD, the State Cabinet granted permission for the private distillery in Palakkad without consulting the LDF even once. “Such policy decisions should only have been made after due consultations within the LDF, which comprises 11 parties. Previous liquor policies had a one-year term and were renewed annually. However, this time, the excise policy concerning private breweries was never discussed within the coalition,’‘ he said.

Noting that the LDF has not convened a meeting in months, Mr. George also pointed out that the coalition’s current convener previously served as the Excise Minister. “He should be well aware of the procedure. How can constituent parties defend the government’s decision when they were never consulted?” he asked.

At the same time, Mr. George clarified that the party’s objection was to the lack of discussion rather than the necessity of a private distillery itself. “The party will determine its stance on that after evaluating all aspects of the issue during our meeting on Sunday,’‘ he added.