Rahul Gandhi backs Ashok Gehlot over Raj govt's bonhomie with Adani

"Finally (I want to tell you all), the Rajasthan government has not used political power to help Mr Adani in Rajasthan. The day they do that I will be standing in opposition," he told reporters in a press conference here on the sidelines of Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Gandhi said he is no way against the corporate and businesses, but against the complete monopolisation of Indian businesses because it weakens the country.

"My contention is in the use of political power to help certain chosen businesses. My opposition is to two or three or four large businesses being helped politically to monopolise every single business in this country. That is where my opposition is," he said.

But, the BJP government is monopolising all businesses by helping the chosen few businesses, Gandhi said. "And today what we are seeing and what is being done by the BJP government is complete monopolisation of all businesses by helping the chosen few businesses. That is my problem," he said.

"Mr Adani has committed 60,000 plus crores to Rajasthan. No chief minister can refuse such an offer. In fact it would not be correct to reject such an offer," he said.

Earlier, the BJP took potshots at the Congress, comparing Gehlot's effusive praise of Adani to Rahul Gandhi's frequent vilification of the business magnate.

The BJP hinted that Rajasthan CM's invitation to Adani was a snub to the Gandhis. "In another sign of revolt and brewing discontent against the Gandhis, Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot invites Gautam Adani for the investor summit. He is given a seat right next to the CM. This is an open message to Rahul Gandhi, who doesn’t tire of berating Adani-Ambani, to back off…," BJP's IT Cell Head Amit Malviya said in a tweet.

BJP leader Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore slammed the Gandhi scion and Gehlot, saying in a tweet, "On one hand, Rahul Gandhi abuses industrialists like Adani ji day and night and impedes the nation's economic development. On the other hand, his lieutenant in Rajasthan, who set up an industry of violence, kidnapping, hooliganism, and extremism in four years, is embracing him."

(With UNI inputs)