Holding the bottle of liquor in her hand, emotionally charged up Nivedita told DMK leader MK Stalin that she lost her father to the "evil of alcohol consumption".
DMK leader MK Stalin was caught off guard when a teenage girl tried to gift him a bottle of liquor during his meeting with student in Tamil Nadu's Vellore district on Wednesday.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam second-in-command, who was in Vellore as part of his "Namakku Naame" campaign, was taken aback by the 'gift' as the teary-eyed girl sought an assurance that prohibition would be implemented if his party came to power next year.
Holding the bottle of liquor in her hand, emotionally charged up Nivedita told the DMK leader that she lost her father to the "evil of alcohol consumption".
"Vellore is infamous for its liquor outlets, liquor consumption is an evil, I lost my father due to it," she said.
Refusing the 'gift', Mr Stalin, "I'm sorry I can't accept this gift. It will be projected wrongly. I appreciate your sentiment."
Assuring the young student, Mr Stalin said, "Don't worry, for sure total prohibition will be implemented (if DMK is voted to power). Steps will be taken for it. Our party chief Kalaignar (DMK chief M Karunanidhi) has decided to change this culture of liquor consumption. Don't worry."
In the past the DMK has batted for sale of liquor by government citing danger from illicit liquor. Now, it has made a U-turn and promises prohibition if elected to power. Other Opposition parties including the Paattaali Makkal Katchi, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam too are demanding prohibition.
However, the ruling India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has refused the prohibition citing closure of liquor shops would pave way for illicit liquor.
Last year alone, the Tamil Nadu government generated whopping revenue of Rs 27,000 crore from liquor sale.
This comes at a time when Kovan, folk singer is facing sedition charges for releasing a music album demanding prohibition, mocking Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and slamming her government's liquor policy.