Patna: RJD MLA Bhola Yadav on Thursday taunted deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi over the paddy procurement scam, pointing out that Modi had published a book on the fodder scam that came to light in 1996.

"Now that the paddy scam has broken out, why don't you write another book?" Bhola teased.

Modi shot back: "I published the book because I was in the Opposition. It is not for the government to publish a book. Now you are in the Opposition. If you have the calibre and the confidence, you bring out the book."

He, however, did not point out that he had raise the paddy scam - which the RJD is trying to weaponise against the government - when he was in the Opposition.

Those in the know also pointed out that the paddy scam seems a mirror image of the fodder scam.

In the fodder scam, it was detected that truck numbers shown for carrying bulls from one place to another actually belonged to scooters. In the paddy scam also, the special investigation team (SIT) set up in April this year has found that numbers of two-wheelers have been given for transportation of paddy.

In the fodder scam, fictitious supply to medicine and fodder dealers were made in paper. In the paddy scam also, the grain was shown to be transported to fictitious and non-existent rice mills.

"The only thing left is identification of the kingpin in the paddy scam," remarked a retired police officer who requested anonymity. "In the fodder scam an official, Shyam Bihari Prasad, was identified as the mastermind."

The fodder scam began even before RJD chief Lalu Prasad came to power and grew into an enormous scam. The paddy scam was detected after three years of irregularities. Rumblings, however, had started two years ago and a vigilance probe was ordered at the behest of Patna High Court.

The fodder scam was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation by court, and the paddy scam SIT was set up at the behest of the apex court.

Both the scams hit agriculture and allied businesses.

"In the fodder scam documents revealed the connection between politicians and the mafia. In the paddy scam such evidence has not come up yet," said another police officer who too requested anonymity.

However, the Srijan and toilet scams suggest that the financial system's checks and balances have gone to the dogs. Lalu paid - and is still paying - the price for the fodder scam. The RJD wants paddy to be Nitish's fodder.