Bihar Toddy

Lalu Prasad, whose RJD is a major ally of the ruling Grand Alliance in Bihar, has advised habitual drinkers to consume "toddy", locally called "tadi", to avoid Gopalganj like incidents that claimed 16 lives.

Following pressure from its main ally RJD chief Lalu Prasad, the Bihar government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday took a U-turn by lifting the ban on the sale and consumption of toddy in the state.

Just 30 km from Bihar capital Patna, a board at the entry to Lodipur village reads, "No more alcohol, I'll live a complete life." The board proclaims the stand of the state's women, at whose insistence, says Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, he pushed for full scale prohibition 6 months ahead of its time.

Lalu Prasad, whose RJD is a major ally of the ruling Grand Alliance in Bihar, has advised habitual drinkers to consume "toddy", locally called "tadi", to avoid Gopalganj like incidents that claimed 16 lives.

Following pressure from its main ally RJD chief Lalu Prasad, the Bihar government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday took a U-turn by lifting the ban on the sale and consumption of toddy in the state.

Just 30 km from Bihar capital Patna, a board at the entry to Lodipur village reads, "No more alcohol, I'll live a complete life." The board proclaims the stand of the state's women, at whose insistence, says Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, he pushed for full scale prohibition 6 months ahead of its time.