The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday launched a sharp counterattack against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after he demanded the arrest of industrialist Gautam Adani over bribery allegations raised by US authorities. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra accused Rahul Gandhi and the Congress of attempting to tarnish Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s image since 2002, asserting that such efforts have repeatedly failed.
Rahul Gandhi, addressing a press conference, alleged that Prime Minister Modi was protecting Adani and reiterated Congress’s demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the matter. Gandhi stated, “We are going to raise this issue in Parliament. It is my responsibility as LoP to raise this issue. The PM is 100% protecting this man (Adani), and this man fully supports BJP.” Gandhi further emphasized Congress’s determination to pursue the matter.
In response, Sambit Patra dismissed the allegations and questioned the Congress’s motives. He pointed out that the Adani Group had made significant investments in states governed by Congress or its allies, including ₹25,000 crore in Chhattisgarh, ₹65,000 crore in Rajasthan, ₹45,000 crore in Tamil Nadu, and ₹100 crore in Telangana. “If Adani is corrupt, why are Congress governments seeking investments from his company?” Patra asked.
Patra also criticized Gandhi for following a familiar pattern of leveling unsubstantiated allegations against the BJP and Modi. Drawing parallels with past incidents like the Rafale deal controversy, Patra remarked, “Rahul Gandhi has made similar claims before, whether during the Rafale issue or the COVID-19 pandemic, but he has failed to back his allegations with evidence. He even had to apologize to the Supreme Court over his Rafale claims.”
The BJP leader further accused Gandhi of overstepping his role by attempting to act as the judiciary. Referring to the legal troubles of Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, Patra said, “The mother-son duo is out on bail and yet claims to be doing the work of the judiciary.” Patra concluded by emphasizing that the law would take its course regarding the Adani matter.
The ongoing war of words highlights the deepening political tensions over the Adani issue, with both the BJP and Congress doubling down on their respective narratives ahead of the upcoming parliamentary session.