Chicago December 5, 2024
Speculation about a divide within the INDIA alliance grew after two major parties, Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Samajwadi Party (SP), chose not to participate in a protest held by the Congress and other opposition groups over the Gautam Adani bribery case. The protest took place in the Parliament complex, with Congress demanding action on the allegations against Adani.
Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad explained that while the party was focusing on other important issues, the opposition parties were united in their approach to handle matters in Parliament. He said, “We have different issues to highlight, but we are united on the strategy in the House.” Similarly, Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav maintained that there was no disagreement, claiming, “We are together in protest.”
Meanwhile, Congress MPs, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, continued their protest in Parliament.They wore jackets with the message “Modi Adani Ek Hai, Adani safe hai,” accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of protecting Adani from investigation. Rahul Gandhi argued that Modi was not willing to investigate Adani, as it would also lead to scrutiny of his own actions.
The Congress and other opposition parties have also called for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) investigation into the Adani Group’s business practices. US prosecutors have accused Adani of offering bribes to secure solar power contracts. However, the Adani Group has denied these allegations, calling them “baseless.”
Parliament sessions have been interrupted by these ongoing protests, with opposition parties demanding further action.
