Patna: Poll-strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor vowed to end prohibition in Bihar as soon as he comes to power.
Speaking to the media about the preparations for his Jan Suraj party’s launch on October 2, he said, “There is no need for any special preparation. We have been preparing for the last two years. If the Jan Suraj government is formed, we will end the liquor ban within one hour.”
Bihar assembly elections are expected in October-November 2025. He said the state is losing Rs 20,000 core every year due to the liquor ban while it’s illegally available across the state due to the rise of liquor mafia and official collusion.
Kishor further dismissed the charges that his action might alienate women voters who are believed to support prohibition in the state. “Whether I get the vote of women or not, I will continue speaking against the liquor ban since it is not in the interest of Bihar,” he added.
The ban on liquor was introduced in 2016. Opposition leaders, including Kishor, have been criticising the ban, saying it has led to an illegal liquor market rampant with spurious liquor, causing death and illness. The idea to ban liquor in Bihar came during Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s state-wide tour ahead of the 2015 Assembly elections. Later, women’s groups organised massive protests to put a complete ban on liquor.
Meanwhile, talking about the on-again, off-again relationship between Bihar CM Nitish Kumar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwai Yadav, he said, “This issue is between Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav, and it doesn’t matter who apologised with folded hands to whom; both have caused damage to Bihar. The people of Bihar have witnessed both of them for 30 years. We are urging them both to leave Bihar”.