'Will Scrap Bihar Liquor Ban Within...’: Prashant Kishor's New Poll Promise

Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraj party promises to lift Bihar's liquor ban within an hour of forming a government in the state.

Poll strategist-turned-politician Prashant Kishor has vowed to end the liquor ban in Bihar within an hour if his Jan Suraj party forms the next government in the state. The Jan Suraj chief, while speaking to news agency ANI, called the existing prohibition “the most fake one”, and said Bihar has been incurring a loss of nearly Rs 20,000 crore every year, while the officials and liquor mafia continue to make money through illegal trade.

"There is no need for any special preparation for the 2nd. 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," he asserted.

When asked about plans for Jan Suraj's foundation day on October 2, he said, “There is no need for any separate preparation for the 2nd. We have been preparing for the last two years”.

On Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav's yatra, he remarked, "My best wishes to him. At least he has come out of the house and is going among the public."

Commenting on the ongoing war of words between the RJD and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, following Tejashwi Yadav's claim that Nitish Kumar had apologised with folded hands for joining the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Kishor said both leaders have harmed Bihar.

"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," said Prashant Kishor.

Earlier, Kishor launched a scathing attack on Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, questioning his ability to lead the state's development. Addressing a gathering in Bihar's Bhojpur, Kishor said, "If someone could not get educated due to a lack of resources, it is understandable. But if someone's parents were Chief Ministers and he couldn't pass the 10th class, it reflects their approach towards education."

He also argued that Yadav needs to work hard and prove himself through his actions if he wants to build a reputation beyond being Lalu Yadav's son.