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Rahul Gandhi attacks Centre over rise in Adani Group’s fortunes, demands probe
Union minister Smriti Irani, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members Nishikant Dubey and Ravi Shankar Prasad accused Gandhi of making irresponsible allegations
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday attacked the Centre over the sharp rise in the fortunes of the Adani Group, which has suffered a stock price meltdown since American firm Hindenberg accused it of fraud last month. During the discussion on the President’s speech in Parliament, Gandhi linked State foreign visits to the group’s global gains.
Union minister Smriti Irani, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members Nishikant Dubey and Ravi Shankar Prasad accused Gandhi of making irresponsible allegations. Gandhi was asked for proof and the Congress was blamed for past scams.
Trinamool Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and Communist Party of India members backed Gandhi and also spoke out against the Adani Group.
Gandhi said Gautam Adani, the group’s founder, jumped from the 609th position to becoming the second-richest person in the world. “How did this magic happen?” he asked. “Then the real magic starts, when the PM [Prime Minister] comes to Delhi and the real magic begins in 2014. In 2014, he was in 609th spot on the list of richest people and climbed to the second spot,” he added.
Some of Gandhi’s remarks were later expunged.
Gandhi said the Adani Group was given contracts in the airport and defence sectors without prior experience. “The Hindenberg report says Adani has shell companies abroad. These companies are sending millions of dollars to India. This is a serious issue as Adani ji is present in strategic areas. He owns ports and airports and produces defence equipment. It is the duty of the Indian government to keep a watch on a company that is involved in such sectors.”
Union minister Kiren Rijiju asked Gandhi not to level “wild allegations” and to provide proof of his claims.
Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said Gandhi must “authenticate” his claims even as Speaker Om Birla disapproved of Gandhi displaying photos apparently showing Modi and Gautam Adani together.
Gandhi’s combative speech came after three stormy days in Parliament marked by a largely united Opposition pushing the government to discuss charges of fraud against the Adani Group and interrupting proceedings.
Other Opposition leaders backed Gandhi and demanded a joint parliamentary committee probe into allegations of fraud against the Adani Group. “When we are talking about Adani, it becomes against the country. I am confused. Is talking against Adani talking against India?” DMK member K Kanimozhi said.
Gandhi demanded an investigation into allegations of shell companies. He called the nexus between politics and business a case study, and accused the government of bending rules and using agencies to give the Adani Group airport contracts.
Gandhi alleged that the government tweaked rules in favour of Adani and did away with the clause that no one without any prior experience would be involved in the development of airports. He said this helped the group gain control of six airports.
Prasad condemned what he called Gandhi’s baseless allegations. “The whole ecosystem of Congress is based on twin pillar of deal and commission,” he said.
