Patna: Two days before the second phase of polling in Bihar, senior BJP leader and former union power minister RK Singh has alleged a Rs. 62,000-crore “power scam” involving the state government and the Adani Group, intensifying political tensions inside the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Singh claimed that the Nitish Kumar government approved a power purchase agreement at an “unjustified and inflated” rate, calling it a breach of public trust. Addressing reporters, he said the deal amounted to “a major fraud with the people of Bihar” and insisted that only a CBI investigation could bring out the truth.
‘Adani power was bought at inflated rates’
According to Singh, thermal power plants typically have a fixed cost of around Rs. 10 crore per megawatt, which should lead to a per-unit price of roughly Rs. 2.75. “Instead,” he said, “the Bihar government agreed to buy power at Rs. 4.16 per unit.”
He further alleged that the agreement was approved “with the involvement of influential ministers and senior officials,” accusing the state administration of deliberately inflating costs.
Singh also questioned the land allocation for the project, claiming it was handed over at prices “several times lower than the market rate.” He argued there were “serious discrepancies” between the real project cost and the investment figures declared by the government.
Political backlash and demands for accountability
The allegations immediately triggered a sharp response from the opposition. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera posted a clip of Singh’s remarks on X, calling them “open evidence of a massive scam”.
“Rs. 62,000 crore has been siphoned off, yet the Prime Minister remains silent. Is this the transparency he talks about?” Khera wrote.
Jairam Ramesh said Singh was “the only NDA leader still speaking the truth”, hinting at discomfort within the alliance. Political analysts noted that the timing of the controversy—emerging just before polling—has created unease among NDA partners, given Singh’s seniority and his long association with the coalition.
