Bihar’s ruling allies are sparring over the liquor ban in the state, the BJP suggesting the recent hooch deaths have necessitated a review of the prohibition law and the Janata Dal United ruling out any changes.
At least 37 people died after drinking spurious liquor in Gopalganj, West Champaran and Samastipur districts last week, five lost their eyesight and many others are seriously ill. The hooch death toll in Bihar this year is about 90.
State BJP president Sanjay Jaiswal asked why liquor continued to be available in Bihar despite prohibition — a brainchild of JDU chief minister Nitish Kumar — and suggested police were in cahoots with the liquor mafia. He implied that not enough effort was being made to catch the kingpins.
“This (prohibition) law was brought in with good intention but the time has come to review its implementation and current status in the state,” he told reporters on Saturday.
“We need to find out why more hooch tragedies are happening in districts where the police are strict. On the other hand, liquor is easily available at places where the police are slothful. The situation is worrisome.”
Jaiswal, Lok Sabha member from West Champaran constituency, added: “It’s imperative to catch the big people — the liquor mafia and suppliers. The small fish are easily caught but the big ones escape. The government should also pay attention to the places where the role of the administration is dubious.”
The JDU was quick to hit back, its national president Rajiv Ranjan “Lalan” Singh ruling out a revocation of prohibition. “Bihar has prohibition and will always have it. There’s no question of doing away with it,” he said.
Construing the BJP suggestion as a veiled attack on Nitish, the JDU went on the offensive on Sunday.
“Prohibition is an initiative of Nitish Kumar but has been implemented with the concurrence of all parties. They cannot now deviate from it,” JDU lawmaker and spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said.