Congress targets Narendra Modi-led government's 'silence' over Adani issue

"Amid the allegations against the Adani Group, the Modi government has maintained a loud silence which smacks of collusion," Congress general secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh said.

The MP also informed that the Congress party will pose three questions a day to the Prime Minister, starting from Sunday over the Adani issue.

"Dear PM Modi, in response to the Panama Papers expose, on 4 April 2016 the Ministry of Finance announced that you had personally directed a multi-agency investigative group to monitor financial flows to and from offshore tax havens," he said in a statement.

The former Union Minister added, "Subsequently, at the G20 summit in Hangzhou, China on 5 September 2016, you (PM) stated, 'we need to act to eliminate safe havens for economic offenders, track down and unconditionally extradite money launderers and break down the web of complex international regulations and excessive banking secrecy that hide the corrupt and their deeds.' This leads to some questions that you and your government cannot hide from saying HAHK (Hum Adani Ke Hain Kaun).”

He further said, "Vinod Adani, the brother of Gautam Adani, was named in the Panama Papers and the Pandora Papers as someone who operates offshore entities in the Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands. He is alleged to have engaged in 'brazen stock manipulation' and 'accounting fraud' via a vast labyrinth of offshore shell entities."

" You have spoken often about your sincerity and “niyat” in fighting corruption and even subjected the nation to the heavy costs of 'demonetisation'. What does the fact that a business entity you are well acquainted with faces serious allegations, tell us about the quality about the quality and sincerity of your investigations?," the MP asked the PM.

Accusing Modi of 'misusing ' Central probe agencies, he said, "Over the years you have misused agencies like the ED, CBI and the DRI to intimidate your political opponents and to punish business houses that do not fall in line with your cronies’ financial interests."

" What action has been taken, if ever, to investigate the serious allegations made over the years against the Adani Group? Is there any hope of a fair and impartial investigation under you?," the parliamentarian asked.

He also asked how is it possible that one of India’s largest business groups, could have escaped serious scrutiny for so long despite persistent allegations.

"Was the Adani Group essential to a dispensation that has profited from 'anti-corruption' rhetoric all of these years ?" the MP said.

Several Opposition parties, including the Congress, have been demanding the Centre to either constitute a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) or set up an inquiry under the Chief Justice of Supreme Court to look into the Hindenburg Research report, which alleged that Adani Group had engaged in stock manipulation and accounting fraud scheme over the course of decades.

(With UNI inputs)