Bihar polls: Nitish Kumar promises liquor prohibition

Had received complaints from women folks over wide-spread addition to country liquor in rural areas

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday played the prohibition card to woo women voters. He promised total prohibition on liquor, if he won the coming assembly polls.

In an official function here on Thursday, Kumar faced high pitched complaints from women folks in the audience over the wide-spread addiction to country liquor in rural areas. They demanded a total prohibition on alcohol in the state. In response, Kumar said, “These women are correct. If I retain power, I will impose a ban on liquor in the state.”

With increase in liquor consumption in Bihar in the past few years, the demand for prohibition in the state has also become louder. Women have been on the forefront of protests against liquor consumption and are demanding a ban on it.

Kumar had earlier refused this demand, saying prohibition is not a feasible option. The state government earns nearly Rs 2,500 crore every year through the taxes on the sale of alcohol.  

However, this time Kumar is leaving no stone unturned to win the coming assembly poll. He even partnered with old rival, Lalu Prasad and Congress to counter the BJP, which trying to leverage Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity.  

The BJP has crticised Kumar and asked if state government is serious on this issue, it should implement this with immediate effect.

Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi remarked, "If Nitish Kumar is serious about people's welfare, why does he not implement his idea immediately?"