Amid Oppn Demand For JPC Probe, NCP's Sharad Pawar Says Report On Adani Group 'Seems Targeted'
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief spoke up vehemently in defence of the Adani Group and slammed the rhetoric around Hindenburg's report on the conglomerate.
Amid demand by opposition parties for a JPC probe, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar on Friday stated that he did not share the views of his ally Congress on the call for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examination on claims against the Adani Company by US-based short seller Hindenburg Research, NDTV reported.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president spoke up vehemently in defence of the Adani Group and slammed the rhetoric around Hindenburg's report on the conglomerate in an exclusive conversation with NDTV.
"Out of proportion importance was given to the issue. The issues that were kept, who kept them? We had never heard of these people (Hindenburg) who gave the statement, what is the background? When they raise issues that cause a ruckus across the country, the cost is borne by the country's economy, we cannot disregard these things. It seems this was targeted," Pawar was quoted by NDTV in its report.
According to NCP chief, it appears that a certain industrial group in the nation was targeted. "There should be an investigation if they have done anything improper. In parliament, a request for a JPC investigation was made" Pawar stated adding that he had a different perspective on this.
"JPCs were appointed on many issues. I remember a JPC was appointed once on the issue of Coca-Cola, and I was the chairman. So, a JPC has never been formed earlier, that is not the case. A demand for a JPC is not wrong, but why was the demand made? The demand for a JPC was made to say that some industrial house must be inquired into," he said.
He applauded the Supreme Court's decision to form a committee comprised of a retired judge, an expert, an administrator, and an economist to investigate the dispute in a timely manner.
The statements differed from the approach adopted by the Congress, Pawar's ally in Maharashtra, which has been pressing for a JPC investigation. Notwithstanding the near-washout of parliament's budget session, the Congress has remained steadfast in its demand.
When asked what he thought the Congress's motivation was in pressing for a JPC investigation, he stated: "I cannot say what the intent was but I know that a committee appointed by judges of the Supreme Court was very important, this is what I know. Maybe the reasoning could have been that once a JPC starts, its proceedings are reported in the media on a daily basis. Perhaps someone would have wanted the issue to fester for two to four months, but the truth would never have come out."
Pawar further expressed his objection to Rahul Gandhi's "Adani-Ambani" approach of targeting major corporate firms. He observed, alluding to the "Tata-Birla" tale of the past, that it was completely meaningless.
Opposition Parties On Pawar's Interview
In reaction to Pawar's comments, the Congress stated on Friday that while its ally, the NCP, has its point of view, 19 other Opposition parties are certain that the claims against the conglomerate are legitimate and serious, PTI reported.
The Congress further stated that all 20 Opposition parties, including the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), are united and will work together to protect the Constitution and democracy from the "BJP's onslaught."
When asked about Pawar's statements, Congress national secretary Jairam Ramesh stated that while the NCP has its point of view, 19 other Opposition parties are persuaded that the "PM-linked Adani Group" problem is genuine and serious.
“But all 20 like-minded Opposition parties including NCP are united and will be together in saving the Constitution & our democracy from the BJP’s assaults and in defeating the BJP’s divisive and destructive political, social and economic agenda,” Ramesh was quoted by PTI in its report.
Slamming Pawar's NDTV interview, TMC Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra tweeted: "Adani owned channel interviewing Adani’s friends to tell us how he is being targeted Long live Indian Media - you truly are a rare species!"
Many opposition parties, led by the Congress, protested throughout the second half of Parliament's budget session, seeking a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) investigation into the Adani problem.
Hindenburg Research has levelled several claims against the Adani Group, including fraudulent transactions and share price manipulation.
The Gautam Adani-led group has denied the allegations, claiming that it complies with all regulations and transparency obligations.
(With Inputs From NDTV, PTI)
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