Patna: Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav on Sunday pledged that the toddy business would be separated from Bihar’s liquor prohibition law and granted industry status if the Mahagathbandhan alliance forms the next government.
Addressing the Taadi Vyavsay Mahajutan event at Sri Krishna Memorial Bhawan Auditorium in Patna, Tejashwi said cases filed against those engaged in the toddy trade would also be withdrawn. “While in government, both Lalu Prasad and I repeatedly pushed for the separation of toddy from the liquor ban law, but it could not happen due to the Chief Minister’s obstinacy. Once our government is formed, we will rectify this,” he said.
Tejashwi asserted that granting industry status to toddy would boost the economic well-being of those dependent on the trade for their livelihood. The event also saw RJD national vice-president Uday Narayan Chaudhary appeal to the gathering to make Tejashwi the next Chief Minister.
Several senior party leaders, including RJD national vice-president Abdul Bari Siddiqui, former MP Bhudev Chaudhary, former MLA Prema Chaudhary, MP Sanjay Yadav, and Raja Chaudhary, were present. The programme witnessed a brief moment of commotion when Uday Narayan Chaudhary’s chair broke, though he escaped unhurt.
