Forget returning to power if you open liquor shops: Rajinikanth warns AIADMK

Actor Rajinikanth on Sunday (May 10) warned the AIADMK government against reopening state-run liquor outlets in Tamil Nadu, saying if it was done, it should not harbour “dreams” of coming to power again, apparently in next year’s Assembly elections.

In a tweet, the actor asked the Palaniswami government to devise alternate modes of revenue generation.

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His comment comes a day after the Tamil Nadu government urged the Supreme Court to stay the Madras High Court order directing closure of liquor shops in the state.

The actor who despite having announced his plunge into politics in 2018 has not yet clarified on joining an existing party or floating one. His political stand has fluctuated over the past few years. Even though he has been supportive of right-wing politics, he recently expressed his desire to join hands with Makkal Needhi Maiam founder and Kollywood colleague Kamal Haasan, who has Left leanings.

The AIADMK cannot have “dreams of coming to power again if the government re-opens TASMAC shops at this juncture,” the actor tweeted. “Please #Look out for better ways of filling the coffers,” he added.

இந்த நேரத்தில் அரசு டாஸ்மாக் கடைகளை மறுபடி திறந்தால் மீண்டும் ஆட்சிக்கு வரும் கனவை மறந்து விட வேண்டும். தயவுகூர்ந்து #கஜானாவை_நிரப்ப_நல்ல_வழிகளை_பாருங்கள்

— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) May 10, 2020

The Tamil Nadu government had on Saturday (May 9) moved the apex court challenging the high court order for closure of TASMAC (Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation) liquor outlets on grounds of violations of COVID-19 guidelines, arguing that it would lead to “grave losses” in revenue and a complete halt in commercial activities.

The Madras High Court had on Friday ordered closure of liquor outlets in the state, noting there were huge crowds and no social distancing was being maintained by tipplers.

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It, however, allowed doorstep delivery of booze through online mode. The Tamil Nadu government, in its appeal on Saturday, termed the high court’s order a case of “judicial overreach” and said online sale and home delivery of alcohol were not possible in the entire state.

Opposition parties in Tamil Nadu, including the DMK, had earlier welcomed the High Court order directing closure of the TASMAC outlets.

(With inputs from agencies)