Kerala: Congress Alleges 'Bar Bribe' Scandal In CPI(M)-Led Govt After Leaked Audio

Similarly, an audio surfaced during the tenure of then CM Oommen Chandy (2011-2016) which eventually led to the resignation of then Excise Minister KM Mani in 2015.

A day after a contentious decision by the Kerala Assembly committee to greenlight the opening of pubs within IT parks has ignited a storm of controversy, the major opposition party Congress alleged a bar bribe scam within the state's ruling CPI(M)-led Left government. The controversy erupted after an audio clip purportedly sent by a high-ranking official of the Federation of Kerala Bar Association surfaced in the media.

In the clip, the official was heard instructing bar owners to pay Rs 2.5 lakh each to fulfill certain demands, including the scrapping of the dry day policy and extending bar working hours from 11 PM to 12 AM, according to a report on The New Indian Express.

Some of the relaxations expected in the new liquor policy include the lifting of dry days and extending the timings for liquor sales at stores and bars.

VD Satheesan, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, condemned the alleged bribery scheme, stating, "The voice message from bar owners makes it clear that the CPI(M) demanded money in exchange for favors to hotels and bars in Kerala. So this voice message reveals that they are trying to collect the money from 800 bars i.e. each bar should give Rs 2.5 lakhs."

"Now the bar owners are collecting the money for the favours. So the government assured them that after removing the code of conduct, they would make amendments to the Abkari rules. So this is a clear case of bribe," he said.

Satheesan further demanded the resignation of Kerala's Excise Minister, MB Rajesh, accusing the government of corruption in its attempts to modify the state's liquor policy.

Bar Bribery Row: CPM Denies Any Wrongdoing

Responding to the allegations, Excise Minister MB Rajesh vehemently denied any wrongdoing, stating, "The govt will take strict action against those who attempt to collect money in the name of bringing some concessions in the Excise policy. Govt has not started any consultation on this year's excise policy, even before that, a series of news coming from the last month based on such media reports, certain people are trying to collect money as other media reports suggest. We won't allow anyone to do illegal activities and we will take strict action."

Similarly, an audio surfaced during the tenure of then CM Oommen Chandy (2011-2016) which eventually led to the resignation of then Excise Minister KM Mani in 2015.