The Tamil Nadu Toddy Movement (TTM) today accused both the ruling AIADMK and the DMK of failing to deliver their promises to lift the ban on toddy. They also accused the parties of using it as a political tool to attract the farmers’ votes.

TTM secretary, S. Nallasamy said that during the World Tamil Chemmozhi Conference in Coimbatore some seven years ago, the then chief minister, M. Karunanidhi had assured them that toddy was important and promised to consider and sought their cooperation to conduct the conference successfully. The present chief minister, J. Jayalalithaa also promised to lift the ban on toddy during her election campaign in Pollachi in 2011.

But, both had failed to upkeep their promises on the toddy issue, Nallasamy said.

MDMK leader Vaiko supported the toddy movement, but made a complete u-turn after the death of Gandhian Sasi Perumal, and began calling toddy as liquor. The BJP state president Tamilisai Soundarajan, on her part, participated in various programmes organised by the movement, but was now demanding total prohibition.

Accusing the political parties of failing to prove that toddy was liquor, he said that they have not come forward with their reply. Nallasamy has also cautioned the political parties that they will have to face the consequences of their inaction.