Hyderabad, June 13: The Telugu Desam Party delegation submitting a memorandum to Governor ESL Narasimhan here today on “indiscriminate sale of liquor”, had to face some awkward moments.
Not only did the Governor ask TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu why he did not demand total prohibition, he also wanted to know how many in the delegation — comprising MPs, MLAs, MLCs and various seniors — were teetotallers.
At this, the party chief raised his hand, and many others followed suit. But Naidu said he would not make any “political statement’’ demanding total prohibition.
He said it was impracticable and had failed in the past. In this context, he cited the efforts of the late NT Rama Rao. Naidu told the Governor that total prohibition would only help create a mafia and illicit liquor would flow.
However, if the Governor took the inititiative on prohibition and it succeeded that would be a matter of great happiness, the TDP leader said. When TDP leader Zahed Ali Khan wanted the Governor to go around the city at night and see the large numbers of youths outside liquor shops, Narasimhan said in a lighter vein that it would spoil his sleep.
Speaking to reporters later, Naidu said he would convene a meeting with party leaders on Monday and chalk out an action plan to fight the State Government’s liquor policy.
——-Agencies