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Koraput: With the campaigning for the ensuing Panchayat elections in Odisha scheduled to kick off tomorrow, the liquor funda of former Koraput MP Jayaram Pangi has created a flutter in the political circle.
The former MP gave this controversial statement in the presence of the media persons and leaders of all political parties near the office of the Koraput sub-collector here today.
“Any government, no matter how popular it may be, will definitely be defeated in the election if it tries to impose prohibition on liquor. In my case, I lost the election as the tribals of my constituency vehemently protested my attempt to prohibit liquor. Even former Odisha chief ministers Janaki Ballav Patnaik and Hemananda Biswal were after me. Former Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa, former Andhra Pradesh chief minister NT Rama Rao and even former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik had met the same fate like me on this issue,” Pangi said.
Asked about the fate of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar who has imposed complete prohibition in his state, Pangi said he will also meet the same fate like the aforesaid leaders.
Justifying his contention, he said those who agitate during the day, are found consuming liquor at the liquor joints in the night.
“Liquor is indispensable for the tribals on all occasions, be it a marriage, birthday of a child and death of a person,” Pangi pointed out.
Pangi, who had won Koraput Lok Sabha seat in 2009 as a BJD candidate, was denied party ticket in 2014 as the party supremo and chief minister Naveen Patnaik announced the name of Laxmipur MLA Jhina Hikaka as the MP candidate from Koraput Lok Sabha constituency.
