Chennai: DMK president M Karunanidhi has categorically stated that if his party comes to power, it will implement prohibition across Tamil Nadu in one go.


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Karunanidhi was seeking to clarify after certain quarters doubted that the DMK will fulfill its pre-poll promise of ban on sale and consumption of liquor.


“Considering the ills of liquor consumption, our first signature after assuming office (if the DMK is voted to power) will be on implementing total prohibition,” Karunanidhi said at a poll rally on Sunday.


Referring to AIADMK chief and Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's remark that she will gradually implement prohibition, the DMK chief said, “What is that gradual prohibition? We don’t accept that. We are for total prohibition.”


“Though we relaxed prohibition to bolster the fiscal health of the State in the early seventies, it was the DMK that later tightened the sale and took stringent action against errant bootleggers. But, the AIADMK, which succeeded us, allowed sale of arrack and finally it was under their regime that a State government sold liquor,” he stated.


“Liquor has ruined the people, especially youth. It is essential to stem the slide. We will ensure that no one consumes liquor if we come to power,” Karunanidhi added.