After the formation of the new government in Bihar and Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary taking office, the debate over the prohibition law has intensified once again. This time, strongman legislator Anant Singh from Mokama has declared the state’s prohibition law a failure and advocated for its abolition. However, responding to this, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary has clarified that prohibition will continue.
Strongman leader and JD(U) legislator Anant Singh recently demanded the resumption of liquor sales in Bihar after meeting Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary. For this, Anant Singh argued that despite the ban, people are still consuming alcohol secretly, and this has led to a rapid increase in the use of dry intoxicants among the youth.
Anant Singh said that when the prohibition was first implemented, he also supported it, but now it seems to have no useful purpose. He stated that people are turning to harmful alternatives. He suggested that the government should lift the prohibition and allow liquor sales to resume. Only strict rules should be in place, and anyone causing a disturbance on the streets should be sent directly to jail.
Reacting to Anant Singh’s statement, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary outrightly rejected the suggestion. Speaking at a press conference held in Patna on Thursday, he said, “Anant Singh is not a party. Whatever he has said about prohibition may be his personal opinion. The government is fully committed to its policy and there is no thought of any kind of change.”
Vijay Chaudhary emphasized that the current government is working according to its policies and the path set by them. He said that the Samrat government is also advancing the same model of good governance, of which prohibition is a fundamental pillar.
Vijay Chaudhary said that a new government has been formed in Bihar, but the path of development will remain the same, the same path that Nitish Kumar created. He stated that the Chief Minister is carrying forward the vision of former CM Nitish Kumar. Over the past 20 years, the public has proven that they prefer Nitish Kumar’s model. This government is the same one that has received Nitish Kumar’s blessings and was established by him.
Regarding the floor test to be held in the special session of the assembly on April 24, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the NDA has not just a simple majority but a strong majority. He further added that there is excellent coordination among all constituent parties, and the government will easily prove its majority on the floor of the house. It is noteworthy that the assembly secretariat has completed all security arrangements and other preparations for the session.
In response to questions raised by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav regarding the state treasury, Vijay Chaudhary counterattacked. He said that the public sees development, not the treasury. If Tejashwi ji is so eager to examine the treasury, he should take a look at his own treasury.
