Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a comprehensive Joint Parliament Committee (JPC) investigation into the matter including Adani group’s investments in foreign countries. ..reports Asian Lite News
Opposition parties on Thursday pressed for a JPC probe into alleged bribery allegations pertaining to a Adani Group company in the United States and also attacked the Modi government over the issue.
The Adani Group has denied the allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green. BJP said the law will take its own course and slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his attack on BJP-led government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a comprehensive Joint Parliament Committee (JPC) investigation into the matter including Adani group’s investments in foreign countries.
“When a top-ranking Indian businessman is indicted by a foreign country, it tarnishes our image at the global stage. The Indian National Congress has been continuously objecting to unethical business practices which profiteer and promote certain individuals by implementing Modi Govt’s policy of creating monopolies in key sectors and concentrating wealth in the hands of few by giving undue favours,” the Congress chief posted on X.
Kharge said that the entire vicious nexus involving cronies compromised bureaucrats and certain politicians has to be “investigated and dismantled.”
“This nexus severely hurts our people – poor and middle class, aspiring entrepreneurs, MSMEs, Startups and crores of small and medium retail investors, for it widens inequalities by snatching savings and opportunities,” Kharge added.
He also took a dig at PM Modi’s “Ek Hain, Toh Safe Hain” slogan and alleged “One Monopoly to protect the looted SAFE!”
Kharge said that “comprehensive JPC”, which not only investigates every aspect of the working of the “Adani Group, the deliberate institutional erosion of the SEBI, SECI and government bodies, and the deals of the Adani Group in foreign countries is the need of the hour.”
“As Shri Rahul Gandhi mentions, this investigation should start with Mr. Adani. Only then, we as a country can ensure that the hard-earned money of our people remains SAFE, inequalities are reduced, our systems enable a conducive environment for market competition, become transparent and accountable and ignite the spirit entrepreneurship for all,” he added.
Earlier today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called for Adani’s arrest and said that it is “clear” and “established” that the Adani Group Chairman has broken both American and Indian laws.
“Wherever there is corruption, investigation should be done. But the investigation will begin with Adani. Unless he is arrested, it won’t be credible. So, begin it from there. Arrest Adani, interrogate him and then nab whoever is involved. In the end, Narendra Modi’s name will come out because BJP’s entire funding structure is in his hands. So, even if the PM wants, he can’t do anything. In a way, Adani has hijacked the country. India is in Adani’s grip,” Rahul Gandhi said.
CPI-M has demanded CBI probe into alleged bribery allegations.
The CPI-M said in a statement that “indictment filed in a United States court” by the Department of Justice against Gautam Adani and six others contain serious charges.
It said Modi government “cannot hide behind any smokescreen now”.
“The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) must be directed to immediately file a case based on the material provided by the prosecution in the United States.Bribery of public servants comes under the Prevention of Corruption Act,which is under the remit of the CBI. A full-fledged investigation by an independent agency is required to unearth all other wrongdoings by the Adani group of companies,” the statement said.
Party leader Brinda Karat said that while the US is protecting its companies, the BJP government is “protecting interests” of Adani Group companies.
“We have demanded to book Adani on corruption charges and proceed against him, including arrest. We have also demanded that an independent investigation into all the other allegations should be conducted. Even in the Hindenburg revelations, he was defended. It is directly Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government led by him who have extended protection and defended Adani personally… It is a shame for our country that it is the United States of America’s Justice Department which has collected all this information because it believes that US Companies were misled,” Brinda Karat said.
Kenya cancels airport, power projects with Adani Group
The Kenya government on Thursday cancelled the procurement process for the expansion of a key international airport – an announcement that has implications for the Adani Group, reports Reuters
This announcement comes close on the heels of US Prosecutors indicting Gautam Adani and others in an alleged bribery case. While addressing the nation during a joint sitting of the parliament, Kenyan President William Ruto directed the procurement agencies within the transport and energy ministries to immediately cancel the ongoing procurement process for the expansion of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) deals and immediately commence the process of onboarding other partners.
“I now direct according to article 10 of constitution on transparency and accountability and based on new information provided by investigative agencies and partner nations that the procuring agencies under the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Energy are immediately cancelled for the procurement process of JKIA expansion as well as the recently concluded KETRACO deals,” said Ruto as the Kenyan House broke into loud cheers.
Under the proposed deal to expand the Nairobi airport, the Adani group was to add a second runway and upgrade the passenger terminal. In September, a Kenyan court temporarily blocked a proposed airport lease deal.
In a separate deal, the Adani group had also signed a PPP deal with the Energy Ministry to construct Power transmission lines. Both the projects now stand cancelled.
Energy Minister Opiyo Wandayi said that there was no bribery or corruption involved in the award of the transmission lines contract.
Earlier, the Adani Group strongly refuted bribery allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of the Adani Green terming them baseless.
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