Thangamani, TTV Dhinakaran spar over prohibition

Electricity Minister P Thangamani countered him for raising the issue to accuse the Edappadi K Palaniswami government while the former’s family accounted for 25 per cent of liquor production in the state.

While reiterating his question, Dhinakaran sought time to speak on Thangamani’s veiled digs at him made on Thursday in the House, which too was denied by the chair. In terms of the liquor production in the state, Speaker P Dhanapal noted that it was a general reference about family and not specific.

Replying to Dhinakaran, Thangamani reeled out the measures which the successive AIADMK regimes have taken on the promise of phased prohibition.

He recalled Jayalalithaa’s first file signed on returning to power was to close as many as 500 liquor shops and reducing the time of sale by two hours.

“Out of 6,715 shops, there should have been 5,715 shops after closure of 1,000 shops. However, there are only 3,866 shops. We went to the apex court in respect of 810 shops since these shops were already there. We will create awareness and implement total prohibition in a phased manner,” Thangamani said.

Furthering his attack on Dhinakaran, the Minister said Dhinakaran has no locus standi on claiming Jaya’s legacy. Had they announced closure of their liquor factories, he would have qualified to raise the issues.

Dhinakaran, who subsequently staged a walk out disowned the distilleries operated by his relatives and clarified that his family comprises of his wife and kids only.