New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the allegations leveled by US prosecutors against industrialist Gautam Adani and said that Adani should be arrested immediately.
While talking to reporters, he also claimed that Gautam Adani will not be arrested because Prime Minister Modi and Adani are ‘one’ and hence both are ‘safe’. Rahul Gandhi said that as the Leader of Opposition in the winter session of Parliament, he and the entire opposition will raise the issue related to Adani.
The former Congress president also said that Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) chief Madhavi Puri Buch should be immediately removed from her post and an investigation should be started. US prosecutors have accused Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani of bribing Indian government officials to obtain solar energy contracts. Under this alleged scheme, a bribe of $ 250 million (about Rs 2236 crore) was given from 2020 to 2024.
Adani Group said that the allegations of bribery made by the US authorities are baseless, adding that all laws are being fully complied with by the group. Rahul Gandhi sarcastically said, “Narendra Modi gave the slogan: If one is safe, he is safe.” If Narendra Modi and Adani are united in India then they are safe. Nothing can be done about Adani in India.
He claimed, “Here the Chief Minister is sent to jail and Adani is roaming outside after committing a scam of Rs 2,000 crore because Narendra Modi is protecting him.” The Congress leader said, “The US investigation said It has been said that Adani has committed crimes in India and America. But no action is being taken against Adani in India.
He alleged that Prime Minister Modi is giving protection to Adani and is involved in crime with Adani.
Rahul Gandhi said, “Adani should be arrested.” SEBI chief Madhavi Buch should be removed from the post and she should be investigated.
The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha also claimed that the Prime Minister’s name will eventually come out after the matter is investigated. He said the opposition will continue to demand the formation of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) in the winter session of Parliament. Rahul Gandhi claimed that Prime Minister Modi’s credibility has been destroyed by the Adani episode.
In response to a question, the Congress leader said, “This is a complete network of people associated with politics, finance and bureaucracy.” On one hand this network captures the political system of the country, on the other hand it works for profit.
He said, “Adani has worked in Bangladesh with the help of Prime Minister Modi. Similarly, work has been done in Sri Lanka and Kenya, where there is talk of investigation. This is a complete pattern – wherever the Prime Minister goes, he gets business for Adani. The truth will come out one day, because we are not going to back down.
When asked about the mention of opposition-ruled states in the Adani case, Rahul Gandhi said, “I want to say that wherever there is corruption, there should be investigation. But investigation should start from Adani. Arrest Adani, interrogate him and then catch whoever is involved in this corruption.
He claimed, “I am telling you that Narendra Modi’s name will come up at the end of this investigation and Narendra Modi does not have the capacity to arrest Adani.” Because the day Adani is arrested, Narendra Modi will also be trapped.
Adani is accused of paying massive bribes to win contracts and funding for solar projects in the Indian subcontinent and hiding this from American investors. Others charged along with Adani include his nephew Sagar Adani, executive director of Adani Green Energy, and Vineet Jain, who was the company’s chief executive officer.