New Delhi: Allegations of the Adani Group paying bribes amounting to ₹2,200 crore to various politicians and officials in exchange for securing solar energy contracts have ignited a storm in India’s political landscape, leading to disruptions in both Houses of Parliament. The claims, which first emerged from a U.S. legal filing, have drawn fierce reactions from opposition leaders, especially Congress, while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has dismissed the accusations as politically motivated.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who has been an outspoken critic of the Modi government, seized the opportunity to launch a blistering attack during a debate in the Lok Sabha. Gandhi accused the central government of shielding the Adani Group from scrutiny, despite the serious nature of the bribery allegations. He questioned the government’s commitment to fighting corruption, pointing out that while ordinary citizens are often jailed for minor offenses, Adani, despite facing serious charges, has yet to face any legal consequences.
“Why are hundreds of people arrested for small matters, while Adani, who is accused of bribing officials with ₹2,200 crore, remains untouched?” Gandhi asked, emphasizing that the government’s protection of the business conglomerate is a clear sign of corruption at the highest levels.
The Congress leader’s remarks have fueled the opposition’s demand for a thorough investigation into the allegations, as well as for the immediate arrest of Gautam Adani, the chairman of the Adani Group. However, Adani has vehemently denied all claims of corruption, labeling them as “false” and part of a broader smear campaign against the company.
In response to Gandhi’s accusations, BJP Member of Parliament (MP) Mahesh Jethmalani dismissed the allegations as part of an ongoing political strategy by the Congress. Jethmalani criticized the opposition for blindly accepting claims made in U.S. courts without concrete evidence and for attempting to use the issue to score political points.
“It is entirely inappropriate to base political arguments on what are, at best, unproven allegations from foreign courts,” Jethmalani said. “The Congress should focus on the nation’s progress rather than peddling baseless accusations that are not grounded in fact.”
The allegations have created significant political tension in India, with both sides of the aisle now deeply divided. While the Congress party has called for an inquiry into the matter, the BJP has rejected the claims as politically motivated, accusing the opposition of exploiting the issue to undermine the government’s credibility.
As the debate rages on, the Adani Group’s solar energy projects continue to be scrutinized by both domestic and international observers. The controversy has brought the issue of corporate influence in politics to the forefront, with many questioning the extent of political and business ties in India’s rapidly expanding energy sector.
The matter has also underscored the growing friction between the ruling and opposition parties, with the central government under increasing pressure to address the allegations. How this issue will evolve remains to be seen, but it has undoubtedly shaken the political fabric of the country, sparking intense debates on corruption, corporate power, and the rule of law.