In a surprising turn of events, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has made a statement that has sent shockwaves through Indian politics. Addressing the media at the AICC headquarters, Gandhi distanced NCP supremo Sharad Pawar from any involvement in protecting industrialist Gautam Adani, asserting that the responsibility lay squarely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This statement comes amidst growing demands by several Indian bloc parties for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into allegations made by the US-based short seller Hindenburg against the Adani Group. The meetings between Sharad Pawar and Gautam Adani have been raising eyebrows in opposition circles.
Gandhi, when questioned about Pawar’s meetings with Adani, emphasized, “No, I have not asked this. Sharad Pawar is not the Prime Minister of India. Sharad Pawar is not protecting Mr. Adani, Mr. Modi is, and that is why I ask Mr. Modi this question and not Mr. Sharad Pawar.”
He further clarified, “If Mr. Sharad Pawar was sitting as the Prime Minister of India and if he was protecting Mr. Adani, then I would be asking Mr. Pawar that question.”
Pawar’s visits to Adani’s office and residence in Ahmedabad in September, and Adani’s visit to Pawar’s residence in Mumbai in April, have fueled speculation and created rifts within the opposition parties. While the Congress has been advocating for a JPC probe into allegations of fraud and stock market manipulations against the Adani Group, Pawar had expressed his preference for a Supreme Court committee to handle the matter.
The relationship between Pawar and Adani dates back nearly two decades, with Pawar previously praising Adani’s ventures in the coal sector. The Congress, in the wake of allegations made by Hindenburg, has been scrutinizing the financial dealings of the Adani Group, which has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
This shocking revelation by Rahul Gandhi has undoubtedly intensified the political discourse and put the spotlight squarely on Prime Minister Modi’s role in the ongoing controversy.
