Significant controversy erupted in Kerala following the circulation of an audio recording purportedly soliciting funds from bar owners in exchange for favorable liquor policies. Allegations surfaced after the emergence of an audio clip where Animon, the president of the Idukki-Federation of Kerala Hotel Association and vice president of the apex body of bar hotel owners, purportedly requested contributions from bar owners in his district. In exchange, he promised to advocate for policies such as the removal of dry days and the extension of bar operating hours. Animon indicated that these changes would be implemented after the Lok Sabha elections, implying that financial contributions were necessary to secure these benefits.
Typically, the annual liquor policy in Kerala takes effect from April 1; however, this year, its implementation was postponed due to the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. In response to the audio clip, Kerala Congress President K Sudhakaran called for the resignation of Excise Minister MB Rajesh, accusing him of involvement in a corruption scheme amounting to 25 crores. Sudhakaran alleged that approximately 900 bar owners had contributed 2.5 lakhs each.
Additionally, Sudhakaran criticized Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's proposed liquor policy, expressing concerns that it would inundate Kerala with alcohol. However, the Kerala government refuted these allegations, asserting that discussions on new liquor policies had not commenced. Excise Minister MB Rajesh condemned attempts to influence government policy by collecting funds, promising strict action against such activities.
This incident parallels a previous controversy during the Oommen Chandy government, where bar owners accused then Finance Minister KM Mani of accepting a 1 crore bribe, leading to widespread protests and Mani's eventual resignation. The BJP also weighed in on the issue, likening the allegations to a purported liquor policy scam in Delhi. BJP State President K Surendran called for Pinarayi Vijayan's resignation, citing similarities to the situation faced by Arvind Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in March 2024.
Surendran further criticized the LDF government for reopening bars previously closed by the Left government, which had promised to shut down liquor shops. He characterized decisions to eliminate dry days and extend bar hours as part of a larger scandal aimed at saturating Kerala with alcohol.
