Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan promises liquor ban in Odisha if BJP wins

Bhubaneswar, (Orissa Today), May 8: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan pledged a liquor ban in Odisha if the BJP assumes power in the state, citing a surge in crimes against women under the current BJD administration. Speaking at a Vijay Sankalp Samavesh in Tileibani, Deogarh district, ahead of the upcoming elections, Pradhan emphasized the BJP’s commitment to this prohibition agenda.

Asserting that a BJP-led government would implement liquor restrictions, Pradhan, who is contesting from the Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency, promised measures against country liquor as well. He proposed a licensing system for country liquor to curb rampant corruption in revenue collection under the BJD regime.

Pradhan highlighted the correlation between alcohol prohibition and the reduction of women-related offenses, attributing the rise in atrocities to the incumbent BJD government. He accused the Naveen Patnaik administration of hindering land acquisition for railway projects, urging voters to empower the BJP for the completion of the Talcher-Bimalagarh rail line within the next five years.

Critiquing the BJD’s governance, Pradhan criticized the party for allegedly misappropriating credit for central funds allocated to women self-help groups. He questioned Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s inability to alleviate poverty in Odisha despite the region’s agricultural fertility and mineral wealth.