Is Bihar's Fuel Scam Linked to Bettiah Mayor's Corruption?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Corruption Allegations: BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal is accused of involvement in a municipal fuel scam.
- Mayor's Accountability: Bettiah Mayor Garima Devi Sikaria is pointed out as the alleged perpetrator of diesel theft.
- Special Investigation Team: Jaiswal seeks an SIT to investigate the allegations.
- Political Implications: The controversy may impact the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
- Jan Suraaj Yatra: A movement against corruption led by Prashant Kishor.
Patna, Sep 23 (NationPress) A political upheaval has emerged in Bihar as Jan Suraaj leader Prashant Kishor has accused BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal of being embroiled in alleged corruption related to "irregularities" at a municipal petrol station.
In response, Jaiswal took to Facebook to provide a comprehensive defense, asserting that it is Bettiah Mayor Garima Devi Sikaria who should be held accountable for the supposed diesel theft.
Jaiswal raised questions about the mayor's silence, stating, "Is Garima Devi Sikaria herself the perpetrator of the diesel theft she mentioned to Prashant Kishor?"
The Lok Sabha member has claimed that despite his previous request for a special Municipal Corporation meeting to discuss all documents connected to the alleged scam, the mayor intentionally neglected to add the diesel theft inquiry to the agenda.
He also asserted that municipal vehicles, after refueling, were routinely taken to Ward Councillor Rohit Sikaria's warehouse at BIADA, where fuel was siphoned off and sold before the vehicles returned to the parking lot.
"Could this be the reason the Bettiah Mayor is reluctant to disclose this diesel theft, of which all evidence is readily available to the Empowered Committee?" Jaiswal questioned.
Furthermore, he accused two municipal employees, Zullum Sah and Tabrez, of distributing diesel coupons and continuing illicit activities despite earlier recommendations for their dismissal.
To ensure accountability, Jaiswal announced his intention to meet Bihar Minister Jivesh Kumar to urge the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
"I will personally approach the minister and request an SIT probe into all activities conducted in the wards of Empowered Committee members over the past two years, with the entire inquiry documented on video," he stated.
This controversy arises as Prashant Kishor intensifies his Jan Suraaj Yatra, making corruption a pivotal political issue in the lead-up to the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections.
Kishor has also made serious corruption claims against Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, state Health Minister Mangal Pandey, and Rural Works Minister Ashok Choudhary. However, up to this point, none of them, aside from Sanjay Jaiswal, have provided clarifications.