Bihar Dy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha levelled serious charges against RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. File
| Photo Credit: ANI

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha on Tuesday (January 28, 2025) levelled serious charges against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav, who is currently Leader of Opposition in Bihar Legislative Assembly, alleging that illegal payments of more than ₹26.16 crore had been made for the construction of three roads in Gaya division during Mr. Yadav’s stint as Road Construction Minister.

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“Huge financial irregularities have been certified during the investigation of construction of three roads in Gaya division,” Mr. Sinha, who now handles the Road Construction Department (RCD), told journalists. “Irregularities have been found in the construction of roads between Wazirganj-Tapovan (19.18 km), Jamua-Sevatar (17.5 km) and Bhindus-Chamandih (21.3 km). Raja Construction was awarded the contract for these three roads. RCD will now review all the tenders awarded to this construction company,” he said, claiming that the owner of the construction company is close to RJD MP Surendra Yadav, who represents the Jehanabad Lok Sabha constituency.

Local stone chips

Mr. Sinha, a senior BJP leader, accused Mr. Yadav of carrying forward the corruption which his father and RJD chief Lalu Prasad always supported. “The contractor used the local [Manpur] stone chips and gave the receipt of [stone from] Pakur district in Jharkhand. Total ₹26.16 crore amount was paid to the contractor between 2016 and 2017. When the payment was done, Tejashwi Yadav, who was also the Deputy Chief Minister, was RCD Minister,” he said, adding that the Pakur mining officer has confirmed in writing that stone chips from that district have not been used in the construction of these roads in Gaya.

“It was not possible for the contractor to withdraw this huge illegal amount without the support of someone. The department is firm that a probe will be conducted and strict action will be taken against those who patronised Raja Construction. This is an attempt to financially damage the RCD. We will stop the practice of looting the government’s funds. Those who have protected Raja Construction will also face dire consequences,” Mr. Sinha said.

Kanwariya Path irregularities

The Deputy CM added that, during the investigation, many discrepancies have been found in the laying of sand on the 83-km Kanwariya Path in Banka district’s Sultanganj. Local residents had complained about these irregularities and action is being taken against the contractor, he said.

Noting that the Deputy CM is free to conduct an inquiry, the RJD accused the government of corrupt practices as well. “Has anyone stopped him from taking action against those responsible for the financial irregularities? It is your government, you must take action,” RJD spokesperson Shakti Yadav said. “Everyone knows what is happening in Ara and illegal transportation of sand is going on there but no action is being taken. Huge money is being taken in the name of transfer-posting in Bihar. First he should look after the corruption in their own government and then raise finger on anyone,” he added.