Thiruvananthapuram
An audio surfaced on Friday requesting Rs 2.50 lakh from each bar owner in the state for Favorable liquor policies. Animon, president of the Idukki-Federation of Kerala Hotel Association and vice president of the bar hotel owners’ apex body, asked district bar owners for funds in exchange for favorable liquor policies for 2024-25.
The annual liquor policy, usually effective from April 1, was deferred due to the Lok Sabha election model code of conduct. Expected policy changes include lifting dry days on the first of each month and extending liquor sale hours in stores and bars.
Animon claimed he sent the audio message on the advice of state president V. Sunil Kumar, who denied this. Kumar explained that the number of bar hotels increased from a few to 827 since the Left government took office in 2016 without any money exchanged. The association, with 650 members, is raising funds to buy a new building in the state capital, needing Rs 6.20 crore and currently short a few crores. Kumar accused Animon of opposing the project and trying to form a new organization, leading to his suspension.
Congress legislator Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said the Vijayan government is influenced by liquor traders, citing the audio as evidence. A similar audio scandal during Oommen Chandy’s government (2011-16) led to the resignation of Excise Minister K. M. Mani in 2015 after CPI(M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan’s protests.
