It was the DMK government led by Karunanidhi that lifted prohibition in the state in 1971, ending the dry rule in force for more than three decades. Photo:Reuters

In a major policy shift, DMK on Tuesday batted for prohibition for the first time in many years, assuring to take steps for its implementation in Tamil Nadu if the party was voted to power in the Assembly elections next year.

Party chief M Karunanidhi said with even children and aged women "falling victim" to liquor, "a question certainly arises as to why prohibition should not be implemented again." "If DMK comes to power again steps will be taken for the implementation of prohibition, to ensure social change and betterment," he said in a statement.

Karunanidhi's statement comes at at time when parties and movements including PMK and MDMK have been pressing the ruling AIADMK to implement prohibition. It was the DMK government led by Karunanidhi that lifted prohibition in the state in 1971, ending the dry rule in force for more than three decades.

While the AIADMK government nationalised liquor sales in 2003, making it a cash cow for the state exchequer since then, the subsequent DMK regime continued with the policy. However, the previous DMK government once revised the timing of state-run bars, on a plea by PMK.

DMK under fire over prohibition from PMK, BJP

PMK and BJP on Tuesday lashed out at that party for lifting the ban while in power and accused it of "ruining" generations. PMK chief Ramadoss, in a scathing attack, alleged that Karunanidhi chose to voice support for prohibition eyeing the Assembly elections scheduled for next year.

"The obvious reason (for making the proposal) is that elections are coming in eight months," he said, adding, "it sounded like an appeal for clemency to me." "It was Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) who scrapped the total prohibition that was in vogue since 1948 and led Tamil Nadu to the present appalling situation," he said.

Toeing a similar line, BJP state president Tamilisai Soundararajan said, "It is surprising, he did not bring in prohibition while in power and now says that he will try to do it if voted to power." She wanted to know if Karunanidhi's demand for prohibition was linked to "polls or for the betterment of the people."

The PMK chief recalled that when Karunanidhi decided to scrap prohibition in 1971, a 'shocked Rajaji'(veteran Congress leader C Rajagopalachari) "begged" with the DMK leader, then Chief Minister, not to do so. "I remember vividly that Kalaignar not only rejected his request but made a mockery of him by saying 'he met me with a recommendation' and went ahead to remove prohibition. When a whole generation of Tamil Nadu lived without smelling alcohol, it was Kalaignar who introduced them to liquor and ruined them and their generations," Ramadoss said in a statement.

The BJP unit chief also mocked at the DMK supremo saying, "Karunanidhi is also in a stage (now) to seek apology for creating a society of chronic drinkers." "Karunanidhi's opinion (supporting prohibition) is correct, however, there is suspicion as he has said this all of a sudden," she said.