भिडियो सहित हेर्नुहोस !
Advertisement
Chief minister Nitish Kumar is all set to take his prohibition crusade beyond Bihar in a move that can be seen as part of his party's attempt to project him as a national leader.
"The demand for prohibition is increasing in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand," Nitish said today at an event organised in Patna by Bihar Mahadalit Vikas Mission for the 125th birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar. "Several women organisations working there have invited me to campaign for prohibition. I have also decided to go. Such a campaign will be run in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand with the support of women that liquor will be banned there too."
There have been reports of liquor shops mushrooming in Jharkhand along the border with Bihar to attract consumers from the dry state.
"I have thought about spending more time in the neighbouring states to ensure that prohibition is implemented there also. This will remove all the liquor hassles related to border," Nitish added.
He pointed out that in Tamil Nadu the two major parties - the ruling AIADMK and opposition DMK - have announced that they will also ban liquor if voted to power.
Nitish's rooting for prohibition in other states can be seen in the context of his recent elevation to the post of JDU national president and his party's strategy to project him as a pan-India anti-BJP leader. The JDU is in talks with several smaller parties with "secular credentials" in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Assam and Haryana to expand its footprint and become a national party.