The Congress on Friday alleged complicity of the Gujarat administration in a flourishing illicit liquor trade in Gujarat, which recently claimed 45 lives while over 100 people are still battling for their lives, also accusing the state’s BJP government of inaction.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said: “It is reported that 600 litres of methyl alcohol was brought to Botad district from Ahmedabad. It was sold as country liquor mixed with water, which damaged the kidneys of these people and killed so many. How is the sale of such a dangerous chemical unregulated? What was the administration doing? The village sarpanch was regularly writing to the police and administration about the illicit liquor trade but no action was taken.”

Khera argued that such a flourishing illicit trade in a dry state is impossible without the government’s complicity.

“The liquor mafia must be getting political patronage. Why was no action taken on the letters written by the sarpanch? The families of the victims are saying on camera that liquor is readily available and the ban is just a joke. The illicit liquor trade in Gujarat is worth Rs 15,000 crore a year.

“In a tragedy in 2009, over 150 people had died. The Prime Minister is in Gujarat but hasn’t spoken a word on the massive tragedy. It cannot be a mere coincidence that huge consignments of drugs are being seized in Gujarat and people are dying consuming liquor.”

Khera demanded a thorough inquiry by a sitting high court judge and adequate compensation to the families of the dead. All those who are ill should be given free treatment, he added.

Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat Amee Yajnik said: “No accountability is fixed despite repeated tragedies. The high court has given several directives, thousands of cases have been filed but nothing changes on the ground. This has been happening since Narendra Modi was chief minister.”