BJP demands prohibition review, all-party meeting

Patna: BJP leaders, including Union minister and Begusarai MP Giriraj Singh and Patliputra MP Ram Kripal Yadav on Wednesday asked CM Nitish Kumar to review the state’s prohibition policy and call an all-party meeting to discuss issues related to liquor ban in the state.
“Almost every day, poor people in the state are dying due to consumption of spurious liquor while CM Nitish remains adamant about his policy, which has failed due to failure of administration.As liquor is available everywhere in ‘dry” Bihar, the cases of criminal activities are on the rise. Liquor has become like God which may not be visible but is present everywhere in the state,” Singh told media persons outside Parliament in Delhi.
The minister was reacting over the death of around two dozen people in hooch tragedy in Saran district since Tuesday night.
Singh criticised the CM for his anger over the BJP MLAs’ attack on his government in the state assembly over the hooch deaths and said Nitish’s conduct in the assembly showed his frustration as his hold on the administration has become shakier.
The minister also said Nitish’s recent declaration that the ruling Grand Alliance will fight the 2025 assembly polls in Bihar under the leadership of RJD leader and his deputy Tejashwi Prasad Yadav has caused much heartburn within his own party JD(U), whereas the RJD has been pressuring the CM to pass on the mantle to its leader Tejashwi as early as possible.
“If the state’s liquor policy is not successful, it should be reviewed and the CM should take suitable steps in this direction,” he said.
Ram Kripal also said Nitish should not make prohibition a matter of personal prestige. “He should either implement it effectively or review it as per the demand of people,” Yadav said. He also said Nitish should resign as CM if he is not able to check the illegal liquor trade in the state.