Nitish bats for liquor ban in Uttar Pradesh

 With an eye on the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar on Sunday called for a complete ban on liquor in UP.

At a function here, Nitish invoked Mahatma Gandhi and said that ban on liquor in Bihar was the real ''tribute'' to him (Gandhi) in the centenary year of the famous 'Champaran Satyagraha' (an agitation by Gandhi during the British rule in Bihar's Champaran district).

He urged UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to ban liquor in UP and said that though there might be initial opposition but the people would welcome it in the end.

The JD(U) leader said that prohibition had received support of the people in Bihar. ''Now the people in Bihar realise that liquor ban is in the interest of the society,'' he added. Nitish has expressed his resolve to continue to strive for a total ban on liquor in the country. He plans to visit different parts of the state in the days to come seeking support from the people for his endeavour. Nitish, however, had to face opposition from the members of the state liquor manufacturing association during his visit.