Front partners clash over liquor licence

The ruling Left Front’s big brother, the CPI(M) and ally Forward Bloc are at loggerheads again — this time over licences to new li...

The ruling Left Front’s big brother, the CPI(M) and ally Forward Bloc are at loggerheads again — this time over licences to new liquor shops.

The cash-strapped West Bengal government had recently decided to grant nearly 3,000 new licences to sell India-made foreign liquor (IMFL). It has even decided to allow large malls to retail drinks with low alcohol content.

Agriculture Minister and FB chief Kamal Guha, who has taken on the CPI(M) over its agricultural policy reforms, said the government should look for sources of revenue other than liquor.

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‘‘We will ask the government to reconsider the decision and if the government does not do anything, we will force the government to stop it. Let the government generate revenue from other sources but not from spoiling the youth,’’ Guha told the rally.

Secretary of the party’s youth wing, Yuba League, Naren Chatterjee, said:

‘‘We will put up road and rail blockades and close all these shops if the state goes ahead with its decision to set up liquor shops.’’

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