JD- U leader suspended over beer

The JD( U) on Thursday suspended its senior leader and former legislator Lallan Ram for violating liquor ban rule in Bihar. The action was initiated by the party after a video clip showed him drinking beer and boasting about the backing and support he receives from criminals.

“Remember, administration and even state government is always in the pocket of those who have the support of bahubalis ( musclemen),” Lallan Ram was heard saying on camera to the other people present with him.

Lallan Ram even rejected the idea of campaigning against liquor consumption in other states by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. “Liquor ban in Bihar is fine but now nobody will follow him ( Nitish Kumar) anywhere else,” he said.

He was arrested on Wednesday evening from a village in Aurangabad district for violating excise rules.

Speaking on the issue about his suspension, JD ( U) state president Basistha Narayan Singh said, “The party was compelled to take action against Lallan Ram after he was found indulging in activities which are against the state government prohibition policy.”

A complete ban on liquor was imposed in Bihar on April 5 this year after Nitish Kumar returned as chief minister for the third time. Nitish Kumar had even approached the chief ministers of other states seeking support from them on liquor prohibition issue but his appeal was ignored by several of them.

Claiming that the imposition of liquor ban in Bihar has flopped after a video showed the ruling party leader consuming beer, the BJP said, “Nitish Kumar claims he has successfully imposed a complete ban on liquor in Bihar and his own party leader defies state government.”