The CPI-M’s approach to liquor consumption, emphasizing regulation over prohibition, faces criticism as official records reveal a different reality during its tenure in Kerala. Recent revelations concerning bar licenses and Bacardi’s entry into the market have reignited debates on the party’s liquor policies. Allegations suggest discrepancies between the Left’s public stance on liquor and its actual decisions in government.
Fresh controversies surround the approval of 22 bar licenses just before the recent elections and policy changes benefiting Bacardi’s low-alcohol products. Documents indicate separate measures for wine production and low-alcohol beverages, contradicting claims of a farmer-centric initiative. The opposition accuses the CPI-M of promoting alcohol moderation under the guise of supporting farmers.
Critics point to Bacardi’s lobbying efforts and the significant rise in bar licenses during the CPI-M’s rule, contrasting with its earlier criticism of the UDF’s liquor policies. The party’s shift from advocating regulated consumption to expanding liquor availability has sparked a political feud. While the Congress seeks a Vigilance probe, the CPI-M defends its policies as serving public interest amid growing scrutiny.
