Monitoring Desk
NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi launched a blistering attack in the Indian Parliament on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and billionaire Gautam Adani on Tuesday, whose companies are in the spotlight following the US-based short-seller Hindenburg Research alleged stock manipulation and accounting fraud by the group.
The Congress leader accused Narendra Modi of helping Mr. Adani’s business empire across several sectors, prompting emphatic rebuttals from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which called his allegations reckless and wild.
“Adani never fails in any of his business ventures – wind energy, solar energy. During my march, people asked me how Gautam Adani attained such success in several sectors, what is his relationship with the Prime Minister,” Mr. Gandhi said in Indian Parliament, alleging that the businessman had secured contracts in the countries that PM Modi had visited.
“People asked me how Gautam Adani’s net worth increased from $ 8 billion to 140 billion in just eight years,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi says Gautam Adani’s wealth increased manifold during Modi govt
The Congress leader said Adani went from “600th to second rank” when Modi’s BJP came to power in 2014. He also alleged that rules were manipulated so the Adani group could obtain six airport contracts.
“Do not level wild and reckless allegations; give proof,” Law Minister Kiren Rijiju responded to the Congress leader. “You are now a senior MP. It would be best if you spoke with responsibility. We expect you to remain serious in Parliament. You can say whatever you want outside,” Mr. Rijiju said.
BJP MPs shouted that privatization began when Congress was in power and handed airport contracts to companies like GVK, which were not experienced in the business.
The BJP leaders also remarked that Mr. Gandhi should also talk about “Ashok Gehlot-Adani ties” – referring to Mr. Gautam Adani pledging ₹ 65,000 crores at an “Invest Rajasthan Conference” in the Congress-ruled state last year.
Opposition political parties allege that the recent meltdown in Adani group’s shares involves public money, as SBI (State Bank of India) and LIC (Life Insurance Corporation of India) have invested in them. The Adani group said it has complied with all laws and disclosure requirements.
Both houses of the Indian Parliament have been disrupted repeatedly because of fierce protests linked to the Hindenburg-Adani row.
