If Adani Is Not A Friend, Then PM Modi Should Have Ordered Probe, Says Rahul Gandhi

Expressing disappointment over PM's Lok Sabha speech, Rahul Gandhi said it was clear that Modi was protecting businessman Gautam Adani.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi at Parliament House complex during Budget Session

Source : PTI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he was dissatisfied with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech in Lok Sabha as there was no mention of any inquiry over the Adani row. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Gandhi said it was clear that PM Modi was protecting businessman Gautam Adani.

"I am not satisfied with (PM's speech). No talk about inquiry happened. If he (Gautam Adani) is not a friend then he (PM) should have said that inquiry should be conducted. It is clear that the PM is protecting him (Gautam Adani)," ANI quoted Rahul Gandhi as saying.

Congress has demanded a joint parliamentary committee probe on the allegations against the Adani Group. 

The Budget session of Parliament has been marred by ruckus ever since US short-seller Hindenburg Research accused Adani Group of stock manipulation and accounting fraud. The Adani Group has denied any wrongdoing and has threatened to sue Hindenburg.

Replying to the Motion of Thanks on President's address in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Gandhi linked the massive rise in the business fortunes and personal wealth of businessman Gautam Adani to the Modi government coming to power in 2014.

"All over the country, one word that i heard from Kerala to Kashmir is Adani, Adani, Adani. This name when people asked me about, they wanted to know how come he was successful in every business, how come he never failed?" he said while showing a poster of Adani with PM Modi.

"Youth asked us that Adani is now in 8-10 sectors and that how his net worth reached $140 billion from $8 billion from 2014 to 2022. Only Adani is being talked about from apples of Kashmir, Himachal to ports, airports and even the roads we are walking on," Gandhi further said.

Certain remarks made by Gandhi in the House on Tuesday were expunged from the records.

On Wednesday, PM Modi, in a swipe at Rahul Gandhi, said the entire "ecosystem" and their supporters were jubilant after "some people's remarks" in Lok Sabha.

"Leaders spoke on President's address as per their interest, nature but their utterances also reflect their capability, capacity, intent. After some people's remarks yesterday in Lok Sabha, entire 'ecosystem' and their supporters were jubilant," PM Modi said.

Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi's absence in Lok Sabha, PM Modi said, "I was watching yesterday. After the speeches of a few people, some people were happily saying, 'Ye hui na baat'. Maybe they slept well and couldn't wake up (on time)."

Rahul Gandhi arrived in Lok Sabha on Wednesday in the middle of PM Modi's speech.

Targeting Congress, PM Modi said many people in India would remember the 2004-2014 period as the lost decade.

"The decade before 2014 will always be remembered as 'The Lost Decade', but the decade of 2030 is India’s decade," Modi said.

"No one can forget the attacks of 2008. The lack of courage in acting against terrorism led to a bloodbath and the loss of lives of our innocent citizens. It's synonymous with the UPA's misrule," he said.