Rahul Gandhi Slams Modi Government Over Adani Allegations, Demands JPC Probe - Read Now

In a sharp attack on the Narendra Modi government, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused the government of shielding billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani amid serious allegations against the Adani Group. The controversy over Adani’s alleged involvement in fraudulent and corrupt activities has once again taken center stage in Parliament, with Congress demanding an investigation through a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).

Rahul Gandhi’s Attack on Adani and Modi Government

Rahul Gandhi, who has been vocal in his criticism of the Adani Group for months, claimed that the Modi government was protecting Adani, especially in the wake of US-based legal actions that have brought serious charges against him. Gandhi pointed out that while hundreds of individuals are arrested in India for much smaller offenses, the government continues to offer protection to Adani, who has been implicated in fraud by U.S. federal authorities.

“Do you think Adani is going to accept the charges? Obviously, he would have done that. The point is that he has to be arrested as we had said earlier,” Rahul said, addressing reporters outside Parliament. He added, “The gentleman has been indicted in the US. He should be in jail. The government is protecting him.”

Congress’ Move for Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)

In response to the allegations, Congress MPs in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have submitted notices demanding the suspension of business in the house to discuss the formation of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the Adani Group’s activities. The Congress leadership has pushed for a full-fledged investigation into the charges, with particular focus on the bribery claims raised by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Congress General Secretary for Communications, Jairam Ramesh, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the government’s inaction, stating that the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) should be taking proactive steps to investigate the charges against Adani. Ramesh accused these agencies of acting as tools of a “corrupt political-business nexus,” rather than fulfilling their duties to the nation.

He also criticized the “Modani ecosystem” — a term used by Congress to describe the perceived connection between Modi and Adani — for engaging in “damage control through denial.” Ramesh emphasized that the allegations against Adani are serious, and that the “ecosystem” is attempting to divert attention from the truth.

US Indictment of Adani Group

The US federal court recently indicted Gautam Adani and his associates for their alleged involvement in a fraud and bribery scheme. According to reports, the indictment claims that Adani, along with other executives from the Adani Group, devised a scheme to offer bribes to Indian government officials. These bribes were allegedly intended to influence decisions related to power purchase agreements (PSAs) with state electricity distribution companies, specifically benefiting the Adani Group.

Ramesh cited portions of the indictment, which specifically mention how the scheme involved “bribe payments to Indian government officials in exchange for favorable decisions on PSAs.” He emphasized the severity of the charges and said that such actions undermine India’s democratic institutions.

Modi Government’s Response

Despite the growing pressure from the opposition, the Modi government has not responded with a clear stance on the allegations. Randeep Surjewala, Congress’s Rajya Sabha MP, highlighted the government’s reluctance to discuss the issue, asking, “What is the problem in having a discussion on Adani? Is he a member of the BJP?” Surjewala further pointed out that the Modi government has been avoiding discussions when the name of Adani is mentioned in Parliament, suggesting an attempt to sideline the issue.

International Impact and Repercussions

The allegations against the Adani Group are not just a matter for India but have international repercussions. Akhilesh Prasad Singh, Congress’s senior MP, noted that the US indictment has already led to the cancellation of several Adani Group contracts across the world, including in India. Singh questioned why the Indian government is so reluctant to address these serious charges, considering the international fallout and the cancellation of Adani’s contracts.

He stated, “When the federal court of the US indicted Adani, many of his contracts in several countries got cancelled. I don’t know what facts the government wants to hide and why it is avoiding any discussion on this.”

The Bigger Picture

The battle over the Adani Group allegations is not just limited to India’s political circles but has escalated to an international stage. The US indictment has raised questions about the influence of big business on the Indian government, with critics claiming that Gautam Adani’s ties to the ruling party have shielded him from accountability.

As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Indian agencies will take stronger action, or if the Modi-Adani connection will continue to dominate the political narrative. For now, Congress remains committed to demanding accountability, pushing for a JPC probe to uncover the truth behind the Adani allegations.

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