Maharashtra BJP poses questions to Rahul Gandhi over Adani group

Rahul Gandhi. Pic/PTI

The Maharashtra unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday calling him "childish" over the latter's tirade against industrialist Gautam Adani and his conglomerate, and linking them to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The BJP said Gandhi should explain why the Congress-led government in office before 2014 at the Centre had given land parcels to the Adani group.

In a long post on X (formerly Twitter), the state BJP said, "Rahul Gandhi who has a childish brain should tell why the Congress government before 2014 had given key land parcels to the Adani group. The earlier Congress government had given several awards to the Adani group, it should be communicated to the people."

"Why did (NCP founder) Sharad Pawar oppose the Congress demand for JPC (probe in Adani group affairs) which was based on Hindenberg report? Why did Congress government in Maharashtra in 2013 awarded 660 MW Tiroda power plant to the Adani group?" the party asked.

Earlier in the day, Gandhi said asked PM Modi to come clean on fresh allegations against the Adani Group and said he must order a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into them as India's reputation is at stake ahead of the G20 summit in the country.

Launching a scathing attack on the BJP-led government at the Centre, Gandhi said at a press conference in Mumbai this is a "national issue" and all opposition parties are together on the matter.

Referring to the fresh set of allegations made by some top global financial dailies that there is a "relationship" between Adani and the PM, Gandhi said this is affecting the country's global image and its reputation is at stake just before the G20 summit.

Targeting the BJP-led government over allegations concerning the Adani group, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday accused the Prime Minister of "being quiet" and said the least that should be done is a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe.

Addressing a press conference here, Gandhi accused the Prime Minister of "protecting one person" and asked "why he is he not forcing an investigation".

Gandhi referred to the G20 Summit being hosted by India and the reports on the Adani group in two British papers and said the allegations impact perception about India.

The Congress leader said the issue affects India's reputation, especially because of  G20 Summit and alleged that PM Modi's "reputation is on line".

"...It is very important that the Prime Minister of India Mr 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 people who are responsible are put behind bars? This is raising very serious questions on the PM just before G20 leaders come here...It is important that this issue is made clear before they (G20 leaders) arrive," Gandhi said.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)