Synopsis
Bihar's political landscape is heating up as Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary takes a strong stand against Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi Yadav, highlighting the controversial liquor prohibition law. With accusations flying and promises made, the future of marginalized communities hangs in the balance.Key Takeaways
- Samrat Chaudhary criticizes Lalu Prasad and Tejashwi Yadav over the liquor prohibition law.
- Chaudhary highlights past governance and accountability issues.
- Tejashwi Yadav promises reforms for the Pasi community.
- The debate touches on the treatment of marginalized communities in Bihar.
- Political tensions are rising ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections.
Patna, April 28 (NationPress) Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary has recently launched a fierce critique against Lalu Prasad, the Chief of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of Opposition, regarding the liquor prohibition law in Bihar, also indirectly targeting Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Chaudhary responded strongly to inquiries from the press about Tejashwi Yadav's claims that the Nitish Kumar-led government has been oppressing Dalits and marginalized groups, particularly the Pasi community, under the pretext of the liquor prohibition law.
“When the liquor prohibition law was enacted, which government was in power in Bihar? They initially jailed people and now are pretending to advocate for their release. It was their family who created the law and incarcerated members of the Pasi community, and now they are making empty promises to free them,” said the Deputy CM.
He questioned the absence of opposition from the RJD or Tejashwi Yadav during the enactment of the liquor prohibition law in April 2016.
At that time, the Mahagathbandhan (Grand Alliance) was in charge of Bihar, with Nitish Kumar at the helm and Tejashwi Yadav as the Deputy Chief Minister.
“If Tejashwi Yadav had any objections back then, he should have voiced them during the law's inception. Neither he nor his party called for the exclusion of toddy from the liquor prohibition law at that moment,” Chaudhary remarked.
Tejashwi Yadav, addressing a rally for the Pasi community on Sunday, assured that if the Mahagathbandhan wins the 2025 Assembly elections, he would work to release all jailed Pasi community members accused of toddy-related offenses, remove toddy from the liquor ban, and establish a toddy industry in Bihar.
Chaudhary's comments have heightened political tensions, as they indirectly cast doubt on Nitish Kumar's leadership.
He insinuated that no legislation could have been enacted without CM Nitish Kumar's approval during the Grand Alliance's tenure.
“When the liquor prohibition law was instituted, both JD-U and RJD were part of the government. The BJP was not involved in those decisions,” Chaudhary emphasized, seeking to separate his party from the actions taken during that time.
Chaudhary's statements have intensified the political discourse surrounding liquor prohibition and the alleged discrimination against marginalized groups in Bihar.
