Alcohol Prohibition Is the Solution; Toddy Should Be Permitted - KMDK Leader E.R. Eswaran

Welcoming the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to close 717 TASMAC liquor outlets, KMDK leader E.R. Eswaran said complete prohibition remains the only long-term solution to curb alcohol addiction and urged the government to permit toddy sales to support farmers’ livelihoods.


Coimbatore:

Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi (KMDK) leader E.R. Eswaran arrived at the Coimbatore airport on Sunday, where he received a warm welcome from party cadres.

Speaking to reporters, Eswaran extended his party’s greetings to the newly formed Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government and Chief Minister Vijay. He also thanked the voters who supported the alliance in the recently concluded Assembly elections, along with those who continued to extend goodwill towards the party.

He stated that KMDK had contested in two constituencies and expressed confidence that the party’s winning candidate from Pollachi, Nithiyanandam, would effectively represent the people in the Assembly. Eswaran added that the party would continue to strongly advocate for the development of the Kongu region.

He further urged the Tamil Nadu government to expedite the Coimbatore airport expansion project, implement the Coimbatore Metro Rail project at the earliest, and extend the Avinashi Road flyover up to Neelambur. He also called for the inclusion of omitted lakes under the Athikadavu project.

Responding to a question on the AIADMK, Eswaran said electoral victories and defeats are part of politics and stressed that party members should remain united instead of attempting to create divisions after an electoral setback.

Commenting on Chief Minister Vijay’s order to shut down a section of TASMAC liquor outlets in the first phase, Eswaran welcomed the move but cautioned that illegal liquor outlets could emerge in areas where shops are closed.

He said merely reducing the number of liquor outlets would not effectively curb alcohol consumption and noted that if TASMAC revenues remain unchanged, it would indicate that liquor sales continue despite the closures.

Eswaran reiterated that complete prohibition is the only sustainable solution and urged the government to permit toddy sales as a means of protecting farmers’ livelihoods and creating an alternative rural economic model.

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