Patna, Sept. 19: Former chief minister and national president of Hindustani Awam Morcha Secular (HAMS) Jitan Ram Manjhi today took a dig at chief minister Nitish Kumar over the new Bihar prohibition law, which will come into effect from October 2 this year.

Slamming Nitish for his frequent campaigns in other states in support of prohibition, Manjhi said Nitish has become obstinate over prohibition and is ready to compromise his own state.

He added that women are disappointed with the new law in contrast to what Nitish claims that they were happy after the blanket ban on liquor.

"Sharab bandi ke peechhe Nitish thethar ho gaye hai (Nitish has become obstinate over prohibition). Nobody is happy with the new act, including women, as claimed by Nitish. Women are worried because their children are going for alternative addictions such as charas and ganja. For 10 years, Nitish served them liquor and suddenly he wants people to leave it. This can't be possible," Manjhi said.

On Sunday, Nitish was in Devaria in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh to address a JDU workers' conference. At the meet, Nitish had attacked the Akhilesh Singh government for not implementing a similar prohibition in UP.

"Instead of working in his own state, Nitish is more interested in giving lecture and sermons on prohibition in other states. He is patting his own back for the liquor ban, which has turned out to be a disaster for the people of Bihar. For the sake of earning money, unemployed youths have entered the business of illegally trading liquor and ruining their careers," Manjhi told reporters at his official residence 12-M Strand Road.

"Prohibition is a complete failure in the state. The excise raids and the seizures stand testimony to the fact that all kinds of liquor is available in the state. I hail from Gaya, which is tourist spot. Foreigners have stopped visiting the town. There is huge revenue loss and if this continues, in next one year, the government will face a huge financial crisis," Manjhi said.

Reacting to Manjhi's comments, JDU spokesperson and MLC Neeraj Kumar said: "Jitan Ram Manjhi is a helpless leader, who speaks such language in the company of the BJP, which is known for communalising any issue. Manjhi is immaterial in politics."

The blanket ban on liquor announced by Nitish on April 5, 2016, is being criticised by the Opposition as well as people in the hospitality sector and industrialists.

Opposition leaders have termed the act, which talks of implicating adult members in case of violating the prohibition by any family member, draconian.