Senior Congress leader V. M. Sudheeran on Thursday strongly opposed the party-led UDF government’s decision to slash sales taxes on low-alcohol beverages, publicly demanding that Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan withdraw the proposal from the upcoming Finance Bill.
The friction marks the first internal political challenge for the newly formed United Democratic Front (UDF) government.
Speaking to the media in Thrissur on Thursday, Sudheeran said the proposal was included in the revised Budget without discussion within the Congress party or the broader UDF coalition. He noted that proper internal dialogue could have prevented an “avoidable controversy.”
The senior Congress leader said extensive discussions should have occurred within the UDF and with anti-alcohol activists and movements before tabling any such proposal. “The concerns and doubts that have emerged in society remain unresolved. The best course would be to drop this proposal when the Finance Bill is taken up,” he added.
Sudheeran, who had already written a letter to the Chief Minister Satheesan about the issue, alleged that the previous Left government had already eased liquor availability in the state and warned against measures that could encourage further alcohol consumption.
He also warned the government against making decisions that could undermine its credibility. “This administration enjoys significant public support. Consequently, utmost transparency must govern every decision, and the government should proceed only after satisfactorily resolving public grievances,” he said.