Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has said that there are no differences of opinion between the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the CPI(M) regarding the new liquor policy that lets the Kerala State Beverages Corporation open more liquor outlets.
Addressing a news conference here on Friday, Mr. Balakrishnan said that the CPI had not issued any statement against the liquor policy and only a few people in the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), the trade union wing of the CPI, had aired their opinion on the policy. “They only reiterated an issue raised by the toddy tappers and their association regarding the stipulated distance between toddy shops, which they wanted the liquor policy to address,” he said.
Mr. Balakrishnan said that CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury would arrive on April 4 for the party congress. All polit bureau members would reach Kannur by April 5. The polit bureau would meet at 4 p.m. on April 5, he added.