The BJP blames the Congress-led government. in Kerala to promote alcohol consumption

Chief National Spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Sudhanshu Trivedi. | Photo credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday (June 26, 2026) accused the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Kerala of promoting alcohol consumption with a proposal to reduce taxes on low-alcohol beverages.

BJP MP and spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi at a press briefing termed the decision to cut the excise duty on low-alcohol liquor by almost half as “disastrous”. “By reducing the government’s revenue and giving advantages to the liquor merchants, when consumption is bound to increase, do you want to drive the whole young generation to alcohol?” he asked.

Mr. Trivedi questioned the government’s decision, saying it was inexplicable, especially when Kerala’s home minister, Ramesh Chennithala, acknowledged that the drug menace was becoming more serious in the state.

“At this point, what is the logic behind cutting excise duty, reducing government revenue, giving more benefits to your friends in spirits, and also creating danger for the future of the younger generation?” asked Mr. Trivedi.

“It was the Left government that created this new category of low-alcohol liquor and now the Congress is trying to use it to flood the entire state with liquor. So both the Left and the Congress have done a great disservice to the state… they are two sides of the same coin,” he added.

Published – 26 Jun 2026 22:24 IST