A nefarious nexus of mafia, government officials, police and politicians were behind the flourishing illegal supari syndicate. The sudden drives against syndicates were driven more by political compulsion rather than genuine intent.

The State Government's ongoing crackdown on the Supari syndicate in the state smacks of settling a political score with the dissident camp rather than motivated by concerns for public welfare.

Illegal syndicates have been controlling almost every trade in the State – be it fish, fruits, vegetables, bricks, sand, timber, construction materials, etc., with the blessings of the government authorities themselves.