Two ministers of Maharashtra have landed in controversy for allegedly inaugurating a bar in Ahmednagar, around 250 km from Mumbai.
The ruling BJP government favours prohibition, with neighbouring Gujarat being a dry state. Moreover, Ahmednagar is set to become the fourth district to be declared alcohol free, following a request from 600 gram panchayats. The other three are Wardha, Gadchiroli and Chandrapur.
But on Saturday evening, state Home Minister Ram Shinde reportedly cut the ceremonial ribbon in presence of - among others - Maharashtra's Minister of State for Finance Deepak Kesarkar.
It has given the Opposition an opening for attack.
Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said having a minister inaugurate a bar was "unfortunate". The NCP said though it was not illegal, it was certainly "not right".
"There is ban on advertisement of liquor. If ministers attend such events, then in a way it amounts to advertising liquor," news agency Press Trust of India quoted NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik as saying.
Mr Shinde, meanwhile, claimed he had inaugurated a restaurant, the Kirti veg-non veg family restaurant. "The beer bar is owned by the previous owner of the Rayri Park, where the restaurant I inaugurated is located," PTI quoted him as saying.
There was no violation of law in inaugurating a restaurant. And the beer bar had obtained all necessary permissions, he had added.
"Will Suspend All Freebies Unless...": Supreme Court's Warning To Maharashtra "Wrapped In Proud Tricolours": Gautam Adani Posts Airport Terminals' Video On Eve Of Independence Day Asha Parekh To Receive Maharashtra Govt's 'Raj Kapoor Lifetime Achievement Award' Rahul Gandhi's Seat At Red Fort Triggers Fresh Congress Attack On BJP 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing "Pivotal Moment": Key Doctor Body Resumes Strike 2 Days After Calling It Off 1 Arrested In Connection To "Friends" Actor Matthew Perry's Death: Report US State Arizona's Ballot Can Describe Fetuses As "Unborn" Humans: Court Rahul Gandhi's Seat At Red Fort Triggers Fresh Congress Attack On BJP Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.