BJP counters Nitish, claims 15 alcohol factories active in Bihar

The BJP on Wednesday questioned the integrity of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's 'anti-liquor' campaign alleging that there were 15 active alcohol factories in the state and said that he had been elected to the top post to fix the law and order situation besides other problems prevalent within the state.

Speaking to ANI here, Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi asserted that Nitish's entire agenda of prohibition fell flat because he was not able to stop the rampant production of alcohol in the state.

"Nitish is not able to control the open production of alcohol in Bihar, as there are 15 liquor factories in the state that are still functional. If selling alcohol is illegal, then how are its factories still running? And it's not just that, as the alcohol is also being sold in other states," Modi said.

Adding that there were other important things in the state to focus on like the deteriorating law and order situation besides other things, Modi said that Nitish's current 'alcohol-ban' campaign had absolutely no impact as the Congress-ruled states were still selling alcohol.

"This is complete farce. His government was formed with an alliance with the Congress. And the Congress-ruled states are openly selling alcohol. So, instead of telling the Prime Minister that an alcohol-ban must be implemented across the country, he should first tell Rahul Gandhi to ensure prohibition in the Congress-ruled states," Modi said.

The Bihar Chief Minister had earlier called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to impose prohibition of liquor across the country as those addicted cannot perform yoga which requires concentration.

"Yoga's first principle is to abstain from consumption of liquor. So, if you (government) are so serious about yoga, then Prime Minister Modi should ban liquor at least in all the BJP-ruled states," he said while addressing a rally.

He also said there should not be any liquor shop within 3.2 km radius of the borders of a state where prohibition is in force.

Nitish has maintained that there has been a drastic decline in crime in the last two months after complete prohibition was imposed in the state.