The Mahagathbandhan will review and amend the liquor prohibition policy in Bihar if the alliance comes to power after the assembly elections, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) chief Mukesh Sahani said on Wednesday.
Sahani, who is also the deputy chief minister candidate of the opposition bloc, said that the prohibition failed to achieve its stated social goals and instead caused large-scale economic losses and enforcement issues.
“The liquor ban in Bihar was meant for the welfare of the people and was expected to benefit them, but it hasn’t been successful. The government should review how much loss the state is suffering because of it. When our government comes to power, we will review it,” he said.
Patna, Bihar: Mahagathbandhan’s Deputy CM candidate and Vikassheel Insaan Party Chief Mukesh Sahani says, “After our government is formed, we will reintroduce ‘Taadi’. The liquor ban in Bihar was meant for the welfare of the people and was expected to benefit them, but it hasn’t… pic.twitter.com/qXuORTQGXg
— IANS (@ians_india) October 29, 2025
The VIP leader also promised to introduce ‘Taadi’, a traditional alcoholic beverage made from the fermented sap of palm trees. He said revisiting the existing policy was essential both for social balance and for the revival of rural livelihoods linked with toddy tapping.
In its manifesto released on Tuesday, the Grand Alliance had promised to lift the ban on toddy (tari) and review the prohibition policy.
"The Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act will be reviewed, and the ban on toddy (tari) in the state will be removed. Immediate relief will be provided to Dalits and other poor people languishing in jail for violating the law. Traditional occupations based on toddy and mahua will be excluded from the ambit of the prohibition law," the document said.
The ruling bloc’s chief ministerial candidate, Tejashwi Yadav, said the move would restore the livelihoods of those dependent on the traditional toddy trade.
"The community, which has been doing this toddy business for generations, has no other means of livelihood or agricultural land. This ban needs to be removed," Yadav said.
