Patna, Apr 27 (UNI) Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly, Tejaswi Prasad Yadav, said on Sunday that after coming to power, his government would exclude Palm wine (toddy) from liquor prohibition law.

Addressing the function of all India Paasi community here, Yadav claimed that he would form his government after 2025 elections and soon after he would exclude Palm wine from the liquor prohibition law in the state.

He said that there would be a major change in the existing liquor ban law of the state, after he resumes power.

Yadav said that on several occasions, he requested Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to exclude the palm wine from the prohibition law, but he did not pay ear to his request.

Instead of excluding palm wine from the liquor prohibition law, Kumar launched Neera scheme which miserably flopped, he noted.

Due to the rigidity of Kumar, the Paasi community was now being identified as a group of criminals, Yadav alleged saying that 76 percent of this class is landless as per the caste survey conducted in Bihar.

Accusing Kumar for the poor condition of the Paasi society, Yadav alleged that the Paasi community has been harassed the most in Bihar.

Palm wine (toddy) was the only business of the Paasi community and their families were dependent on it, but the ban on it has created a crisis of livelihood. Due to the liquor ban law, the jails were filled with the people from SC-ST communities.

As it is, palm wine is prohibited since 2016 and the Paasi community organised the conclave to raise their voice against the prohibition. The leaders of the community claimed that palm wine and liquor both were separate materials but along with liquor prohibition the palm wine was also prohibited leading to severe economic crisis for the community.

While addressing the conference, Yadav lambasted Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary saying that Chaudhary was issuing remarks upon RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav despite the fact that the credit for establishing Chaudhary in the politics goes to Lalu Prasad Yadav.

He said it was Lalu Prasad Yadav who made Chaudhary a Minister and MLA.

"Even the last time Chaudhary contested elections, he had won from our party (RJD)," Yadav said, adding that Chaudhary entered politics from the back door and cannot survive politically without taking the name of Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Taking a dig at BJP state president Dilip Jayaswal who had stated that Tejaswi Yadav was dreaming to come to power, the RJD leader thundered that he was all set to translate his dreams into reality.

Tejaswi Yadav expressed his support for the statement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against terrorism in his 'Mann Ki Baat' programme.

He said, "We are with those who will work to eradicate terrorism from its roots."

UNI RS SS