Congress rules out removing ban on sale of arrack if it comestopower

Davanagere, May 12 (UNI) Congress has no plan to reintroduce sale of arrack in Karnataka if it comes to power, former Deputy Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah said today.

Talking to newsmen here, he said that "Congress leader Janardhana Poojary's recent remarks on introduction of sale of arrack was his personal and not that of party stand".

Mr Siddaramaiah said that after banning sale of arrack in the State poor people have started to consume costly liquor and the sale of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) has gone up by 3 per cent.

Replying to a question, he said that introduction of total prohibition was impractical and there is need for a national debate on the issue.

To another question, he said that Samajawadi Party State President S Bangarappa will defeat BJP Chief Ministerial candidate B S Yeddyurappa in Shikaripura, which goes to poll in the second phase on May 16. "Congress will form government in Karnataka on its own after the elections", he added.

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