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Prashant Kishor, a political strategist turned politician, has made a bold move in Bihar politics by promising to scrap the state's liquor ban if his Jan Suraaj Party wins the upcoming assembly elections. This stance, however, is a departure from the prevailing political landscape where the liquor ban has been a key factor in Nitish Kumar's electoral success, considered the longest-serving chief minister of Bihar. Many analysts believe the ban boosted Nitish Kumar's popularity, particularly among women in rural areas. Consequently, no major party has openly criticized the ban, fearing a loss of women voters.
The liquor ban, implemented in 2016, was intended to combat alcoholism and associated issues in the state. It was also a key election promise to women who suffered from the excessive drinking of their male counterparts, contributing to the consolidation of women voters in support of the ruling JD(U). However, enforcing the liquor prohibition law has proven to be a considerable challenge for Nitish Kumar's government. Despite the ban, Bihar has witnessed numerous official deaths due to illicit alcohol consumption and hooch tragedies. The conviction rate remains low. Moreover, the stringent provisions of the law have led to widespread resentment amongst a large segment of the population, a sentiment Kishor hopes to capitalize on.
Kishor argues that the prohibition law incurs an annual loss of Rs 20,000 crore to Bihar. He plans to utilize this revenue to establish a world-class education system for the state's children and youth. Kishor's vision includes raising more than Rs 4 lakh crore to improve education, which he believes will be achievable by scrapping the ban. He asserts that the ban will be lifted within an hour of his party assuming power. This revenue, he clarifies, will not be allocated to the budget, security of leaders, or infrastructure projects like roads, water, and electricity but solely dedicated to building a new education system for Bihar.
Kishor's emphasis on education quality and employment is a direct challenge to the existing political dynamics where caste and religion have played a dominant role. Whether voters in Bihar are prepared to embrace a change in their priorities and consider the potential benefits of lifting the liquor ban remains uncertain. This move has sparked a critical debate about the effectiveness of the prohibition law. While mainstream parties have downplayed Kishor's entry into politics, labeling his Jan Suraaj Party as a BJP proxy, the ultimate decision about the fate of the party and its agenda will rest with the people of Bihar.
Prashant Kishor's bold stance on the liquor ban has injected a new dimension into the upcoming Bihar elections. His emphasis on education reform and economic development could resonate with a significant portion of the electorate. However, the success of his strategy hinges on whether he can persuade voters to prioritize education over other factors that have traditionally influenced their voting choices. Only time will tell whether Kishor's Jan Suraaj Party can achieve its ambitious goals and become a significant force in Bihar politics.
Source: Will Prashant Kishor's pitch against liquor ban in Bihar be a gamechanger for his Jan Suraaj Party?