Chennai: Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran has demanded that the state government release a white paper detailing how many liquor outlets have been permanently shut after it claimed to have ordered the closure of 717 shops soon after coming to power.
In a statement, he referred to an incident in Madurai’s Tirupparankundram, where one of three TASMAC shops closed on government orders has reportedly been reopened. He alleged that the reopening may have been facilitated because the bar licence holder is linked to the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).
Nagendran questioned whether such developments could occur without the knowledge of Chief Minister Vijay, and accused the government of allowing its functionaries undue freedom in serious offences and illegal liquor operations.
He urged the administration to move beyond what he called “empty publicity” and focus on constructive governance, reiterating his demand for a public account of the closures and their current status.
