The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a scathing attack on the Congress party following its criticisms of the central government over the recent charges against industrialist Gautam Adani. The charges, filed by US prosecutors, accuse Adani and his associates of engaging in a bribery and fraud scheme related to solar energy contracts. The BJP accused the Congress of politicising the issue and aligning itself with foreign interests, specifically targeting the timing of the charges and the involvement of George Soros.
BJP’s Response to Congress Allegations
BJP IT head Amit Malviya questioned the timing of the indictment, pointing out that it came just ahead of the Indian Parliament’s session and amid speculation around former US President Donald Trump’s political future. Malviya strongly dismissed Congress leader Jairam Ramesh’s claim that the indictment justified calls for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) investigation into alleged “Modani scams.”
Malviya highlighted that the states mentioned in the US indictment—Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh—were all ruled by opposition parties at the time. He called out the Congress, asking, “Before you pontificate, answer on the bribes the Congress and its allies accepted.” The Congress-led government in Chhattisgarh, the DMK-led government in Tamil Nadu, and the regional parties BJD and YSR Congress in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh were in power during the alleged bribery period from July 2021 to February 2022.
The Role of Congress and BJP in Adani Allegations
Congress has repeatedly alleged that there is a close relationship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and the Adani Group. The party has accused the BJP of granting undue favours to Adani, particularly in the energy sector. These accusations have been a key issue in Congress’ political strategy, with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi often alleging corruption linked to Adani.
However, the BJP and the Adani Group have consistently denied these allegations. The BJP, in particular, argues that the Adani Group has made significant investments in opposition-ruled states as well. The BJP further clarified that the charges against Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, and others are only allegations at this stage and must be proven in court.
Details of the Indictment
The US federal prosecutors have charged Gautam Adani and his associates for allegedly paying over $250 million in bribes to Indian officials between 2020 and 2024. These bribes were purportedly paid in exchange for favourable terms on solar power contracts, which could generate more than $2 billion in profits. The Adani Group, however, did not immediately respond to requests for comments on the indictment.
BJP’s Criticism of Congress’ Foreign Allegiance
In a more pointed attack, Malviya criticized Congress for siding with global interests such as financier George Soros, suggesting that the party’s stance could undermine India’s sovereignty. He accused Congress of being a “prop” for foreign elements, especially given the political context of the ongoing allegations and the involvement of international entities.
The Future of India-Canada Relations and the Allegations
While the political discourse around the Adani scandal continues to heat up, the BJP has urged Congress not to overreact to foreign judicial actions. Malviya’s statement raised the question of whether Indian authorities should take similar steps against US companies if such allegations were to surface in India, further complicating the bilateral relationship.
As the situation unfolds, the allegations against Gautam Adani and the resulting political attacks between the BJP and Congress are set to dominate the Indian political landscape. Both sides are likely to continue using the issue to further their respective agendas, with the final legal outcomes in the US potentially playing a significant role in shaping domestic politics in India.
(With agency inputs)