'Seek' election in Pondy on total prohibition: CM to PMK

Chennai, Mar 29 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today challenged the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), a constituent of the DMK-led Democratic Progressive Alliance (DPA), to seek election in the Union Territory of Puducherry on the plank of total prohibition.

Intervening in the debate on the budget for the year 2007-08, the Chief Minister said the PMK, which had been campaigning for total prohibition in Tamil Nadu, could implement the same, if it came to power in Puducherry (known for free availability of liquor).

Mr Karunanidhi was responding to PMK President and Floor Leader G K Mani, who demanded that the DMK Government at least close down TASMAC shops, selling Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) in a phased manner to achieve the task of total prohibition in the state.

Reiterating that total prohibition in the state was possible, only if the policy was implemented throughout the country, the Chief Minister said in the next couple of years, the PMK might come to power in the Union territory and it could try this out there.

Amid laughter, he said the PMK was not even able to seek election in Puducherry on the poll plank of total prohibition, leave alone imposing it. 'If it has the courage, I will appreciate the party.' He said previous experiences clearly showed that imposition of prohibition would only lead to flow of illicit liquor and poor and downtrodden getting arrested in connection with liquor cases.

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