Will the INDIA Bloc Government Really Make Bihar Mafia-Free?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Akhilesh Singh promises a mafia-free Bihar if the INDIA Bloc government is formed.
- 12 types of mafias have been identified for targeted action.
- Over nine lakh women are affected by microfinance debt.
- Corruption and extortion under the current NDA government are rampant.
- Strict measures, including drone surveillance and e-tendering, will be implemented.
Patna, Oct 10 (NationPress) The former president of Bihar's Congress and Rajya Sabha MP Akhilesh Singh stated on Friday that the formation of the INDIA Bloc government in Bihar would lead to vigorous and decisive measures against the mafias that have been operating throughout the state.
He asserted that Congress has pinpointed 12 distinct types of mafias that have maintained a stranglehold over Bihar for the past two decades.
“Once the INDIA Bloc government is established, Bihar will be liberated from mafia control. Mafias will only have two options—hell or jail. There are only two remedies for mafias: a bullet in the back and a kick in the stomach,” Singh declared during a press briefing in Patna.
The Congress leader accused the current NDA government of enabling rampant looting and extortion in Bihar.
He highlighted various mafia categories, including microfinance, land, sand, liquor, contract, education, recruitment, mining, health, and adulteration mafias, vowing to take strict action against all.
Singh pointed out that over nine lakh women are ensnared in microfinance loan debts, often facing harassment and violence from recovery agents.
“We will take measures to recover their loans and seize the assets of those responsible,” he emphasized.
He mentioned that a special task force and drone surveillance would be utilized against sand mafias, while e-tendering would become mandatory for all public works projects to combat contract-related corruption.
Additionally, he promised zero tolerance for corrupt officials and stringent oversight of the transfer-posting mafia, stating that a special investigation team (SIT) and interstate cooperation would be established to dismantle contract killing networks.
Accusing the existing government of widespread corruption, Singh remarked, “Ministers in this government are amassing large sums of money. Where is this money sourced from? This is a government of unchecked corruption—its members belong in jail. I have served as a minister too, but I own nothing beyond a house in Patna.”
In response to reports suggesting that senior Congress observers had not met RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, Singh dismissed any notion of discord between the two allies.
“There was no such issue. Lalu Prasad’s door is always open,” he asserted.