New Delhi: Hitting back at BJP, Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday asked the government why it was running away from an investigation by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the allegations against the Adani Group if they have nothing to hide, after Home Minister Amit Shah dared Congress to move court on Adani issue.
Addressing the press conference, Ramesh said, "Home Minister said that the government has nothing to hide in the Adani case. If there is nothing to hide then why are you running away from JPC's demand?"
"We are not even allowed to mention this in Parliament," he added.
At least 18 references from Congress MP Rahul Gandhi's speech in the Lok Sabha linking the rise in fortunes of businessman Gautam Adani with BJP's term at the Centre were expunged from the House record.
Ramesh alleged that the BJP leaders were threatening opposition on speaking over the Adani-Hindenburg controversy, adding that the government is not even allowed to mention the controversy in the parliament.
He insisted on getting the Adani Group investigated through the Joint Parliamentary Committee only.
"Despite multiple requests from all the opposition parties to form a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), the government is still not cooperating over the formation," said Ramesh.
“There was a hit Bollywood song badan pe sitare lapete huye, but these people are planning to get Hindenburg investigated by wrapping Tiranga,” said the Congress leader.
"Adani should be investigated, not Hindenburg," he added.
Speaking on employment, he stated, "We are in favor of increasing entrepreneurship. Only that will provide work for young people."
He further stated, "We are against blind privatization. Public property is being continuously sold by the government." "We support liberalisation which ought to be governed by laws and institutions and have the freedom to operate on their own. So that they can work in a fair way."
Ramesh said that the Congress party's battle is not against the government or Prime Minister Modi's inclination towards private investment or even liberalisation, it is against crony capitalism, adding that in the past eight to ten years, only one company has given incentives.
"Regarding the demand of JPC, Congress and all of the opposition parties are in agreement," he added.