Will TN follow AP's lead and lift prohibition?

N Sathiya Moorthy in Madras

Despite protests, Andhra Pradesh may have set a precedent when it lifted prohibition. .

The budget presented by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi earlier this month was silent on the subject and so are government sources.

An informed source said there is concern about the health of the citizen as well as that of the economy. Though some committed policemen have made things difficult for illicit brewers last year, the problem has not been quashed. So the frustrated state government may be forced to rethink on the subject after some time, he said.

In 1989, when the DMK government was in power, it was forced to lift the ban on country liquor after eight people died and many were blinded after consuming illegal hooch at Panrutti town. The government even introduced 'cheap liquor' at licensed outlets. The arrack was sold in sachets as in Andhra Pradesh then.

But this time they have their electoral ally, the Tamil Maanila Congress to contend with. The TMC, with its own long-term goals, may be uncomfortable with the re-introduction of large-scale liquor sale in Tamil Nadu. The TMC may even use the issue to part ways from the Dravida Munnetra Kazagam and form a government.

It could also give the Opposition All-India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam a stick to beat the DMK with. It was the late M G Ramchandran, heading the fist AIADMK ministry, who reintroduced prohibition though he too was forced by economic factors to dilute it later. His protege Jayalalitha, immediately on taking over as chief minister in 1991, reintroduced prohibition.

Now that the AIADMK is feeling much better after giving the DMK a run for its money in Pudukottai, it may also use any opportunity that DMK gives it. Even if all that politicking works, the ultimate benificary is likely to be the TMC.