PMK demands prohibition in TN

Tiruchirapalli, Aug 14 (UNI) Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) President G K Mani today reiterated his party's demand that the Tamil Nadu government should reintroduce total prohibition in the state and close down the India Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) shops.

Mr Mani, who was here in connection with overseeing the arrangements for the party's liquor eradication conference to be held on August 17, told newspersons that according to a recent survey, the number of people taking liquor, especially youths, was rising in Tamil Nadu, and it would endanger the growth and prosperity of the state.

He urged Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to close down the IMFL shops immediately, not withstanding the revenue earned from the same.

To a question, he alleged that the detention of former PMK legislator J Guru under Natioal Security Act (NSA) was politically motivated, and added there was no valid reason or evidence for detaining him.

He said a PMK delegation had already met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and sought his intervention for the release of Mr Guru.

He said if necessary, a delegation of the party would meet Congress President Ms Sonia Gandhi also in this connection.

Responding to another question, he said it was up to the Congress to take the final decision on the suggestion made by the party's founder Dr S Ramadoss to form a new political alliance without DMK and AIADMK under the leadership of the Congress party.

UNI RV MDG SK UCS2001