Nitish's anti-liquor campaign in UP

In the latest offensive against the Samajwadi Party, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will take his anti-liquor movement to the eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh.  “Nitish Kumar would be addressing a rally in Deoria in support of prohibition on September 18.

He will make an appeal to the people to press for prohibition in Uttar Pradesh,” JD(U) national secretary Afaq Ahmed Khan told DH, adding, “Former party chief Sharad Yadav will also accompany the chief minister.”  “There would be a follow-up on the issue. A foot march is being planned in the region, which covers the three border districts of Kushinagar, Deoria and Ballia. All three are located on the border of Bihar and can easily be mobilised given their social composition,” Khan said.

The area has a sizeable population of Kurmis and Muslims. “Our focus would be to force the Uttar Pradesh government to implement prohibition in this region. We will also be demanding that Akhilesh Yadav enforce prohibition in the state up to 50 km from the border. The non-enforcement of prohibition in border areas has made it difficult for the Bihar government to implement a total prohibition,” JD(U) general secretary Arun Kumar Srivastava told DH.