PM-SHRI, Diet Alcohol: Was CM Satheesan convincing?

Three policy decisions of the new UDF government had caused some consternation among the public. One, the Rare Earth and Critical Minerals Corridor in V D Satheesan's Budget was seen as an attempt to privatise Kerala's mineral wealth? Two, the move to revive the PM-SHRI MoU that was junked by the previous government was interpreted as a surrender to the Centre's diktats. Three, the announcement of tax rates for low-alcohol liquor was perceived as the Congress straying from its long-held principles.

The CM's assurance on privatisation was convincing. But on the other two issues, Satheesan sounded like he did not have a clear political stand.