New Delhi: In yet another blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre over fresh allegations against the Adani Group, the Congress on Thursday alleged the “corruption” in shell companies related to the conglomerate was getting stronger and reiterated its demand on the formation of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). Addressing a press conference in Mumbai on the sidelines INDIA bloc meeting, party leader Rahul Gandhi said prominent global financial newspapers have raised very pertinent questions on the Adani issue and at a time when the G20 Summit is just round the corner, it is very important that there is a “level playing field and transparency” in India’s economic environment.
“The leaders coming to India to attend the G20 Summit are going to be asking what is this special company that is owned by a gentleman close to the Prime Minister and why is it that in an economy like India, this gentleman is being given a free ride,” Rahul Gandhi said.
Demanding a JPC probe into the matter, the Congress leader further said, “It is very important that PM Narendra Modi clears his name and categorically explains what is going on. At the very least, a JPC should be allowed and a thorough investigation should take place. I don't understand why the PM is not forcing an investigation? Why is he quiet and why are people who are responsible not put behind bars? This is raising very serious questions on the Prime Minister just before G20 leaders arrive.”
The Congress leader's statement comes after Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), an organisation funded by likes of George Soros and Rockefeller Brothers Fund, alleged that “opaque” funds were used to funnel millions of dollars into the publicly traded stocks of the Adani Group, reportedly hiding the involvement of the business partners associated with the family.
The OCCRP report follows previous claims of accounting fraud, stock price manipulation, and misuse of tax havens by the Adani conglomerate.
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However, the allegations were "categorically" denied by the Adani Group. The company called the journalists' collective “recycled” and “ bid by Soros-funded interests supported by a section of the foreign media to revive the meritless Hindenburg report.”
"Despite the Modi government's best efforts, the truth will not stay suppressed forever. However, the full story about the flow of benami funds into the Adani Group, how foreign citizens came to play a role in critical national infrastructure and how PM (Narendra) Modi 'violated rules, regulations and norms to enrich his close friends' can only be revealed by a JPC," news agency PTI quoted Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh as saying earlier in the day.