No talks with Opposition on bar timing extension, says Kerala Leader of the Opposition

Opposition Leader VD Satheesan on Wednesday hit back at Excise Minister MB Rajesh, claiming that neither the State government nor the Minister had any discussions with the Opposition on the decision to extend bar opening hours across the State.

Addressing the media during the Puthuyuga Yatra in Thrissur on Wednesday, he said the opposition had no role in the decision to merge or extend bar times. He explained that while there had been previous attempts by bar owners to seek uniform timing, their support approach was made about a year ago and not in the context of the current decision. “It is the government’s duty to consult the opposition if they want our opinion, not the bar owners,” he said.

He claimed that the opposition was left completely unaware of this move. “If even the Left Democratic Front (LDF) convenor or leaders were unaware of the decision, how would the Opposition come to know about it?” he asked, adding that the fact that such a decision was taken just before the elections, without being presented to the Cabinet or without wider consultations, raises serious doubts.

The Opposition Leader also said that the Excise Minister had not discussed the issue with any Opposition leaders recently, neither through a phone call nor in the House chamber. He described the minister’s remarks as an attempt to evade criticism after coming under the scanner and rejected claims against further disclosure.

Addressing the Elappully brewery issue, he claimed that approvals were given at “rocket speed” but the Kerala High Court later allowed him to go ahead with the move. He alleged that a reportedly blacklisted company in Delhi had filed an application in Kerala without even the knowledge of local brewers and that the Opposition’s allegations of procedural lapses were later confirmed by the court.

blanket extension

Questioning the rationale behind the blanket extension of bar timings, he said a relaxation limited to tourism hubs with active nightlife could be understood, but the government had instead extended timings everywhere while simultaneously increasing the number of notified tourism destinations, which had already invited criticism.

Meanwhile, Mr. Rajesh defended the government’s decision, stating that extended bar hours are already in place in certain tourist destinations and have been made uniform across the State to address discrimination complaints.