Decision on liquor must come through UDF, says IUML

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Thursday said any decision on the proposed tax cut for low-alcohol beverages would be taken only after discussions within the United Democratic Front (UDF), aligning itself with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s position.

IUML State general secretary P.M.A. Salam said the party’s long-standing policy against liquor remained unchanged. “We will raise our concerns at the UDF meeting, and a decision on the issue will be taken only after discussions within the UDF, as the Chief Minister has said,” Mr. Salam told The Hindu.

State secretary Abdurahman Randathani also said it was premature to draw conclusions before the UDF discussed the proposal. “Let the UDF discuss the matter and take a decision,” he said.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Local Administration Minister K.M. Shaji said the IUML did not support the proposed tax cut. “We oppose liquor irrespective of its alcohol content. That is the stand our president, Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal, has made clear,” he said.

Mr. Shaji, however, said the party would abide by the Cabinet’s collective decision even if it differed from the IUML’s position. “In a coalition, there are decisions we may not agree with but have to accept,” he said.

He added that the UDF had secured a mandate from all sections of society and that “a public mandate cannot be overturned in the name of any protest.”

Mr. Thangal had earlier said the IUML opposed the promotion of liquor, regardless of its alcohol content. He later reiterated that the government should address public concerns over the issue.

Party sources said the IUML, recognising the sensitivity of the issue, had decided against publicly confronting the UDF over its liquor policy. Instead, it would continue to reiterate its long-standing opposition to all forms of liquor.