Kozhikode: A week after announcing that they would not be selling the products of soft drink giants PepsiCo & Coca-Cola across the state from March 14, Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES) took a U-turn Thursday.
The latest announcement by Kerala's leading traders outfit is indeed a relief for the soft drink firms.
In a watered-down stance, the organization said that it is yet to take a final decision on the proposal and that the move will only be a success if all the traders join the protest.
"We are still opposed to sale of these multinational beverages. But there will be a real impact only if all the traders join hands. We have requested chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to take an initiative to form a consensus among all the traders in Kerala," KVVES state committee member Ashraf Moothedath said.
Taking a cue from the traders in Tamil Nadu, KVVES had said last week that they would boycott the soft drinks to register their protest against the exploitation of water by the multinational companies at a time when the state is reeling under severe drought.
KVVES president T. Naseeruddeen had then said that once the association announces the boycott, nearly seven lakh shopkeepers would stop the sale of soft drinks.
He had also said then that instead of fizzy drinks, sale of indigenous beverages and tender coconut would be promoted.
Traders in Tamil Nadu had banned the sale of products by Coca-Cola and PepsiCo.
