Patna, April 7: Former chief minister and RJD leader Rabri Devi today attacked the BJP and other Opposition parties for claiming credit over prohibition in Bihar.

"It is a decision of the Grand Alliance. The BJP and other Opposition leaders should not claim credit," Rabri said outside her 10 Circular Road residence. "Nitish ji had announced the decision during the polls. It is not a new one. He took Laluji's consent before announcing total prohibition Leaders like Sushil Modi and others are commenting on it just to be in the news."

Soon after total prohibition was decided on April 5, many Opposition leaders welcomed it but said the government took the decision under pressure from the Opposition, particularly from Sushil and former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi.

Unlike Rabri, the chief minister is undeterred by the Opposition's efforts to claim credit for total prohibition. "I don't have a problem," Nitish said after the energy department's review meeting at Samvad. "In fact, I would request them to extend their support to implement total prohibition successfully. Prohibition has mass support. I took this decision seeing people's extraordinary response."

CM vs Kapoor

Nitish sounded tough about actor Rishi Kapoor's tweet on total prohibition. The day Nitish announced total prohibition, the actor had tweeted "Bihar you will encourage bootlegging and illicit liquor. Prohibition has failed worldwide. Wake up! You will also lose 3000 Crs revenue loss." He had also tweeted: "10 years imprisonment for alcohol-5 years for illegal possession of ARMS? Wah Nitish! Me no coming to Bihar! How myopic can you get in 2016??"

Without naming the actor, Nitish said: "Many are opposing the move and saying loss of revenue, but selling liquor is not a moral business. The way he said he will not come to Bihar as if he was coming here every time."

Nitish said liquor is hazardous to health and those who were spending money on liquor will now spend it on nutritious food.

National moves

Rabri Devi said Nitish was planning to move to national politics and the JDU was merging with some other parties but the RJD had norole to play in this process.

"It is good that he is merging with smaller parties to emerge as an alternative in national politics," said Rabri. "But the RJD has nothing to with this move of the JDU. We are not party to the merger."