Rift in Bihar ruling alliance over demand for review of liquor ban

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s prohibition policy has come under sharp criticism with coalition partners as well as Opposition leaders demanding a review of the law, alleging that the government failed to implement it effectively.

Raising the issue in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Madhav Anand, legislative party leader of the Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM), called for a review of the prohibition law. He said the Chief Minister has reviewed his own decisions in the past and, therefore, the prohibition policy should also be reassessed.

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He said he was making a humble request to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of prohibition, its impact on society, and the extent of awareness it has generated.

Congress MLA Abhishek Ranjan also demanded a review of the law. He alleged that liquor is being delivered to homes across Bihar and claimed that, on demand, alcohol could even reach the Assembly. He said if blood tests of MLAs were conducted, the reality of the law’s implementation would be exposed.

AIMIM MLA Akhtarul Iman said that not only alcohol but also drug use is on the rise in the state, which is a matter of serious concern. “Since leaders of the ruling party themselves have demanded a review of prohibition, it makes it clear that the drug trade is flourishing in Bihar. The new generation is becoming its victim. Prohibition must be reviewed,” he said.

Responding to the demand, Minister Vijay Chaudhary maintained that prohibition will remain in force and there is no need for a review.

However, Minister Lakhendra Paswan supported the call for reconsideration. “Vijay Chaudhary has his own views, but I believe that given the way the issue of drugs has been raised in the Assembly, there should be stricter restrictions and prohibition should be reviewed in that context,” he said.

Outside the House, Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi also called for a review of the prohibition law. Speaking to the media in Gaya, he said the policy is causing significant financial losses to the state government. “Chief Minister Nitish Kumar should consider this. Prohibition is not being effectively implemented in the state, and liquor is being delivered to homes. Alcohol is entering Bihar from outside the state, leading to an outflow of money. The government should think seriously about this,” he said.

The Gaya MP further alleged that under the prohibition law, the highest number of cases are being registered against members of the Scheduled Castes (SC) community, and therefore the law warrants a review.