Nitish blames BJP for hooch tragedy in Bihar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday blamed the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the loss of lives in the state due to consumption of liquor.Losing his cool while speaking in the Assembly, the Janata Dal-United leader said: “You (BJP MLAs) are responsible for the hooch tragedies in Bihar. We all know that you are doing the dirty work. I parted ways with you… and it was my good decision. You are talking in favour of liquor in Bihar. It would not be tolerated.”A ruckus was witnessed in the Assembly on Wednesday over the loss of lives in Saran due to consumption of spurious liquor.The death toll has risen to 17 on Wednesday. Five of them died on Tuesday night and 12 others passed away at a hospital on Wednesday.The condition of five others are said to be critical. The incident was reported from Mashrakh and Isuapur village.Sources said Nitish Kumar got upset after the BJP legislators came into the Well of the House and tried to disrupt the proceedings.Assembly Speaker Avadh Bihari Chaudhary had repeatedly asked the BJP legislators to go back to the seats but they did not listen to him.After Nitish Kumar lost his cool, Finance Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary, said “even as there is a law for murder, it is taking place everywhere”.