The number of retail liquor shops in the state will be reduced and their operating hours curtailed, the Chief minister said as she launched her party’s poll campaign in Chennai.

She has also promised shutting down bars in phases and opening de-addiction centres. The announcements come in response to the principal opposition party DMK’s call for prohibition in the state.
Ms Jayalalithaa said, “Karunanidhi’s demand for prohibition is like devil quoting scriptures.” She said it was the DMK chief who introduced liquor in Tamil Nadu, while she stopped the sale of cheap liquor.
Earlier this month, the Bihar government also introduced total prohibition in the state, speeding up its plans for a phased approach.
Defending her government on the Chennai floods, the Chief Minister said the city saw “unprecedented rains in 100 years.” That no disease spread after the floods was a major achievement, she said seeking a second consecutive term.

Ms Jayalaithaa said it was during her government’s tenure that the state became power surplus and outages ended.The AIADMK chief sought votes listing her government’s schemes for pregnant mothers and new born children as a major achievement.

a said at the launch of the campaign as she listed Amma canteens, Amma water and Amma pharmacy as her government’s welfare schemes.Her party is contesting 227 seats of the 234 seats in the state assembly, leaving seven seats for her allies.