Liquor ban will be broken in Bihar. His own people increased Nitish Kumar’s tension, NDA allies made a big demand in the House.

News India Live, Digital Desk: ‘Liquor ban law’ has once again come to the center stage in the politics of Bihar. Now, voices of rebellion have started being heard not only outside, but also from within Nitish Kumar’s own ‘fortress’ i.e. the NDA alliance, regarding this law which has been implemented since 2016. In the latest development, NDA allies have directly placed the demand for review of this law before the Chief Minister, due to which huge resentment is being seen in the JDU camp.

Demand for review raised in the House

There was silence during the budget session of Bihar Assembly when Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) MLA Madhav Anand demanded a review of the prohibition law in the presence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Anand argues that now the time has come to assess the pros and cons of this almost decade old law. He said that the Chief Minister himself is known for historic decisions, hence he should look at the ground reality.

Manjhi and Kushwaha also joined together

Not only Madhav Anand, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) patron and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi has also joined this trend. While talking to media in Gaya, Manjhi clearly said that Bihar government is suffering huge financial loss due to liquor ban. He alleged that liquor prohibition in the state has completely failed and the home delivery business is flourishing. According to Manjhi, the worst hit by this law are the poor and the deprived sections, who are being sent to jail by the police on minor charges.

JDU’s tough stance: ‘No question of review’

JDU has expressed strong objection to this demand of NDA allies. Senior JDU minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary and spokesperson Neeraj Kumar bluntly said that the decision to ban liquor was taken unanimously and it will be firmly implemented in the state. JDU says that those who are questioning this law are probably looking towards other states where liquor is available, but in Bihar it is a big pillar of social reform.

Opposition got the issue

This tussle within the NDA has given the opposition parties an opportunity to attack the government. RJD sought answers from the Chief Minister and said that when the government’s own MLAs are calling the law a failure, then why is Nitish Kumar adamant on his insistence?

This war on liquor ban in Bihar before the 2025 elections can become a big challenge for the unity of the alliance and the electoral equations in the coming days.