Overview
- The opposition manifesto says the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act would be reviewed, the ban on toddy (tari) removed, and traditional toddy and mahua occupations kept outside the law, with immediate relief for poor and Dalit inmates jailed under it.
- RJD leader and chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav told rallies the change would revive income for communities long dependent on toddy tapping, calling the current policy a failure on the ground.
- VIP chief and deputy CM pick Mukesh Sahani reiterated that the alliance would amend the policy and reintroduce taadi, arguing the ban has missed its goals and harmed rural livelihoods.
- Bihar has enforced total prohibition since 2016, yet reports note persistent illicit liquor, deadly hooch incidents, and 12.79 lakh arrests in nine years, over 85% from SC, EBC and OBC categories, according to figures cited in recent coverage.
- JD(U) has largely avoided the issue on the campaign trail while defending benefits, as rivals such as Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj vow to scrap prohibition entirely and studies present mixed outcomes, including a Lancet finding of reduced alcohol use and partner violence.