A whole page of the Congress's 88-page manifesto for MP is devoted to prohibition. ``The Congress believes in what Gandhiji said on the evils of alcohol and drugs. We believe liquor is bad for the society and for everybody. Which is why the party agrees with the principle of prohibition,'' the MP manifesto says.

However, the next line talks of the difficulties in imposing prohibition but goes on to say the party will ask gram sabhas to implement prohibition in their areas. ``From the experience of various states, it is clear that prohibition cannot be implemented by law. So our policy will be to use all traditional and modern methods to campaign against alcohol and create an atmosphere for prohibition. We will give gram sabhas the right to decide andimplement prohibition in their areas,'' adds the manifesto.

It is a curious mix which raises questions on why the party is calling for prohibition in MP and not in the other states going to polls like Delhi, Rajasthan and Mizoram. The rest of the party's manifestoes are fairly on expected lines, blasting the BJP Union government for its non-performance while listing the achievements of its own past governments.

The party released the gist of its four manifestoes today in the presence of CWC members Pranab Mukherjee, Manmohan Singh and others. After releasing the gist, the Congress indicated it was keeping its options open for the post-poll scenario.