KOCHI: In what could prove to be a major blow to the ruling front, the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) Madya Virudha Samithi has decided to campaign against the LDF in the Chengannur bypoll.
The move comes as part of the samithi’s decision to toughen its stand against the government’s liquor policy. The samithi will convene a mass convention at Chengannur at 2 pm on April 20 with the participation of various anti-liquor outfits and religious-socio-cultural leaders, to expose the flaws and anti-people stand in the liquor policy.
The decision was taken at a conference of the samithi held at POC in Palarivattom on Tuesday, said samithi state secretary Charlie Paul. A door-to-door campaign against liquor will also be conducted in all Assembly constituencies as will corner meetings and rallies with the participation of women and children who are victims of the liquor menace.
“The government’s liquor policy is creating trouble in society,” alleged KPCC former president V M Sudheeran who inaugurated a one-day fast organised by the samithi. “The move aims at providing liquor extensively. The government, which is the people’s protector, is now turning villain by exposing people to the evils of liquor,” he said.
Sudheeran demanded a reconsideration of the Supreme Court verdict which permits state governments to decide whether to allow liquor vends in areas covered by local self-governing bodies and statutory development authorities. Bishop of the Sulthan Bathery diocese Joseph Mar Thomas delivered the message at the conference.