Nitish Kumar Exit Triggers NDA Call to Reassess Prohibition

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4 weeks ago

UP Excise Department inspects liquor shop in Jaunpur Image credit X.com @upexcise

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NDA ally and former Bihar CM Jitan Ram Manjhi says liquor ban intent is sound but implementation is broken — costing poor lives and state revenue alike

By AMIT KUMAR

Patna, April 19, 2026 — Former Bihar Chief Minister and Hindustan Awam Morcha (Secular) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi on Sunday fired the first major political salvo following the political churn in Bihar, demanding an immediate and comprehensive review of the state’s liquor prohibition policy — while also taking sharp aim at income tax raids linked to political figures and dismissing opposition attempts to disturb the electoral process.

Speaking to reporters, the veteran Dalit leader — known for his blunt political style — made clear that the demand for a policy review was not a reversal of position, but a call for course correction. “The Intent Is Right. The Implementation Is Broken.

Manjhi was emphatic that he was not opposed to the principle of prohibition. “Our stand from the beginning is the same as it is today —sharaabandi (liquor prohibition) is not a bad thing. The intent is correct,” he told reporters. “But the implementation team is at fault.”
He argued that the flawed implementation of Bihar’s prohibition law — introduced by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in 2016 — was causing double damage to the poor. On one hand, he said, ordinary people from lower-income groups were being caught in legal action. On the other, the ban had fuelled a dangerous rise in the production of illicit, toxic liquor.

“When prohibition exists, people make liquor in a hurry — in two hours, using whatever they can find,” Manjhi said, alluding to the recurring incidents of hooch tragedies across Bihar. “People from poor households are dying at 50 and 60 years of age after drinking this. The poor are losing on both fronts,” he added.

His conclusion was pointed: “That is why there must be a review. Review the liquor policy, fix what is going wrong in its implementation — and then prohibition will actually work. It will also benefit the state’s financial treasury.”

A Political Demand With Electoral Weight

Manjhi’s remarks carry significance beyond the immediate policy debate. As a key ally within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar, his public call for a review signals growing discomfort within the ruling coalition over prohibition — a policy that has been both a social brand and a political liability for Nitish Kumar’s government.

Bihar has seen multiple hooch tragedy incidents over the years, including mass casualties in Saran and Gopalganj districts, drawing national attention to the gap between prohibition on paper and reality on the ground. Opposition parties have repeatedly demanded an end to the ban, though without the nuance Manjhi now brings as an ally.

By framing his demand as a call for review and better implementation — rather than outright repeal — Manjhi appears to be threading a careful political needle, preserving alliance solidarity while articulating grassroots discontent.

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FAQ:
Q: What did Jitan Ram Manjhi say about Bihar’s prohibition policy?

Manjhi said the intent behind Bihar’s liquor ban is correct, but implementation is flawed. He called for a policy review, arguing that poor people face double harm — legal action under the ban, and deaths from consuming hastily brewed toxic liquor.

Q: Is Jitan Ram Manjhi demanding that Bihar’s liquor ban be scrapped?

No. Manjhi explicitly said he is not opposed to prohibition in principle. His demand is for a review of how the policy is being implemented — not its repeal. He argued that fixing implementation would make the ban more effective and benefit the state treasury.

Q: Why does Bihar’s prohibition policy matter politically?

Bihar’s total liquor ban, introduced by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in 2016, has been a flagship social policy — but also a source of controversy. With thousands of arrests (disproportionately among the poor), recurring hooch tragedies, and significant revenue loss, it remains a live political issue heading into the next electoral cycle.

Q: Who is Jitan Ram Manjhi?

Jitan Ram Manjhi is a senior Dalit politician from Bihar, founder of the Hindustan Awam Morcha (Secular), former Chief Minister of Bihar (2014–2015), and currently a Union Minister. He is a key partner in the NDA coalition in Bihar.