Kochi: Kerala witnessed record sale of liquor on the last day of campaigning on Tuesday. With the state going dry for the next two days, people made sure that they had enough stocks to keep them in high spirits till the polling day.
Almost all 350 government-owned liquor shops in Kerala saw an unusual rush as all bars and liquor vends will remain shut till 5 pm on Thursday. That's when polling ends in the state.
"I don't have enough money to stock bottles for two days, but I have managed to get two bottles. I will try to adjust," a local resident said.
The Kerala Government sold liquor worth 4600 crore rupees in the last fiscal, almost a 25 per cent hike than the year before. That figure is expected to go up this year.
Liquor is the second highest money spinner after tourism. And it seems the economic slowdown has not dampened the spirits of the consumer.
"I have two bottles for my personal use. I damn care. I will buy more; I have a lot of money," said a local, taking out bundle of currency notes from his pocket.
The per capita alcohol consumption of Keralites is eight and a half litres per person per year and now one can reason why Kerala has this dubious distinction.