Nitish to expand reach in other states with anti-liquor drive

After imposing total prohibition in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar plans to visit a number of states including Uttar Pradesh, where assembly elections are due next year, to lend support to anti-liquor movements as his party JD(U) seeks to widen its reach.

Kumar, who is believed to be having a strong support base among women voters in the state, has got invitations from a number of women organisations engaged in anti-liquor movements in UP, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.

Party General Secretary K C Tyagi said the Chief Minister has agreed to visit these states and hold interaction with women organisations which will be finalised after the national council meeting of JD(U) in Patna on April 23, which will give its approval to Kumar's election as party president at party's national executive earlier.

"The women organizations, many of whom are associated with Gandhian and Sarvoday movements, have invited Kumar.

"Invitations are from Jaipur in Rajasthan, Wardha in Maharashtra, Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand and some places from Uttar Pradesh. The Chief Minister will be visiting these states in May," Tyagi said.