North India Statesman
News India Live, Digital Desk: These days there is a fierce battle over ‘liquor’ in the politics of Bihar. While on one hand Chief Minister Nitish Kumar considers this law as his biggest achievement, on the other hand his alliance partners are now pressurizing to change it or review it.
1. ‘Revolt’ of allies (NDA Allies Demand)
These voices raised from within the NDA have created a ‘religious crisis’ for the government:
RLM Demand: Upendra Kushwaha’s party MLA Madhav Anand Said directly in the Assembly in the presence of the Chief Minister that now the time has come for a detailed review of this law. He argued that there is a law, but ‘home delivery’ of liquor is going on indiscriminately.
Jitan Ram Manjhi (HAM): Union Minister Manjhi made a scathing attack and said that because of this law, the poor and deprived sections 3.5 to 4 lakh people Stuck in lawsuits. He called it a huge loss of revenue and a source of corruption.
Upendra Kushwaha: His party believes that it should be amended not just by making a law, but by looking at awareness and ground reality.
2. JDU’s strong reply: “No question of review”
JDU has given a very strong reaction to this stance of its allies:
Vijay Kumar Chaudhary (Minister): He bluntly said in the House, “Liquor prohibition was implemented with everyone’s consent. It is in force and will continue to be so. No question of review arises.”
Neeraj Kumar (Spokesperson): Terming the demand for review as ‘ridiculous’, JDU said that this has increased the self-confidence of women and improved the society.
3. 3 main reasons for the dispute (Why the rift?)
| Reason | side of allies | JDU’s side |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | Liquor prohibition is causing losses worth crores annually. | The well-being of women and families is more than revenue. |
| Corruption | Home delivery is being done with the connivance of police and mafia. | Strict action is being taken against those who break the law. |
| new addiction | Due to lack of liquor, youth are turning to smack and drugs. | This is a social evil which has to be rooted out. |
Opposition’s taunt: “Liquor ban is on paper”
Meanwhile, the opposition (AIMIM and other parties) has also cornered the government. AIMIM MLA Akhtarul Iman alleged that the government is giving protection to the liquor mafia and the entire system has failed.
