Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using a scuffle between MPs outside Parliament as a diversion to avoid discussion on the ongoing legal proceedings against the Adani Group in the United States. Gandhi claimed that the BJP was trying to distract public attention from the indictment of Gautam Adani, a close associate of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the U.S.
The altercation occurred as both the opposition and ruling party members engaged in protests outside Parliament over alleged insults to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The BJP claimed that Rahul Gandhi pushed BJP MP Pratap Sarangi, injuring him in the process. Meanwhile, the Congress alleged that BJP MPs had pushed Congress leaders, including Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge. Both parties have filed police complaints related to the incident.
Speaking to the media, Rahul Gandhi condemned the BJP’s actions, stating, “They have started a new distraction. All MPs were going to Parliament peacefully when BJP MPs blocked our way on the stairs. This is a new tactic to divert attention from the main issue—legal action against Narendra Modi’s friend, Adani, in the U.S. The BJP doesn’t want a discussion on this.”
Gandhi went on to criticize the BJP for attempting to deflect from what he described as the most pressing issue—the alleged corruption involving Adani. “Modi is selling India to Adani, and the BJP is working to cover this up,” he said.
At a press conference, Gandhi also addressed comments made by Home Minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha, accusing the BJP of being “anti-Ambedkar” and hostile to the Constitution. “We have always maintained that the BJP and the RSS hold anti-Constitution, anti-Ambedkar views,” he said.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge joined the condemnation, highlighting the BJP’s failure to engage in a meaningful discussion. “For 14 days, we have been protesting over the Adani issue, but during a debate on the 75th anniversary of the Constitution’s adoption, Amit Shah insulted Dr. Ambedkar. If this is the mindset of the ruling party, it is highly condemnable,” Kharge stated.
In the midst of the protests, BJP MP Pratap Sarangi was injured and hospitalized, sustaining a head injury during the scuffle.
Adani Group Faces Serious Charges in the U.S.
The legal troubles for the Adani Group intensified after the U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed charges on November 20, 2024, in a New York court. The indictment accuses Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, his nephew Sagar Adani, and another company official of being involved in a bribery scheme to pay over $250 million to Indian government officials for solar energy project contracts.
Additionally, the group is accused of misleading investors and lenders in the U.S. about its anti-bribery policies. The Adani Group has strongly denied the allegations, calling them “baseless.”
For years, Rahul Gandhi has linked the Adani Group to the Modi government, accusing them of engaging in crony capitalism. Despite the group’s denials, the controversy continues to shape the political discourse in India.
