Thiruvananthapuram: After CPI, LDF-constituent party Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has strongly opposed the permission given to a private company to start a brewery in Elappully panchayat in Palakkad.

The RJD also objected to giving the permission without discussing it within the Left Front and called it a 'wrong approach'. Excise Minister MB Rajesh, who explained matters only to the CPI without consulting the other LDF  constituent parties, has set a wrong precedent, RJD General Secretary Varghese George told Manorama Online.

"Normally, when policy decisions are taken, they should go through the coordination committee of the ruling front before going to the Cabinet. However, the excise policy regarding permitting a private brewery was not discussed in the LDF meeting," he said.

"The previous liquor policies had only a one-year term and would be renewed yearly. However, this time, it was approved by the Cabinet directly, without a discussion in the LDF meeting. That is not right," he said. 

"Instead of placing it in the LDF, Rajesh went to the CPI office and explained it. There are 11 parties in the LDF. Don't other parties need to know this? The minister's approach is wrong. Had it been discussed within the LDF, all issues could have been evaluated, and we could have made a collective decision," George said.

"The current LDF convener, TP Ramakrishnan, is a former excise minister. He knows these procedures. Now, the constituent parties cannot justify this decision without it being discussed within the LDF,” said George.

He said the party committee meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on February 2 will discuss and decide on matters related to the brewery. "We will examine all aspects, including whether groundwater will be used for alcohol production. As a party that has taken a strong stand on environmental issues, including the Plachimada controversy, all these matters will be discussed in the committee," George said.