Rahul Gandhi’s press conference on Thursday, which aimed to hold industrialist Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to account, took an unexpected twist when a power outage disrupted his remarks. As his microphone momentarily went silent, Gandhi, not missing a beat, sarcastically attributed the power cut to "Adani power, Modi power," using the brief technical glitch as a moment to underscore his ongoing critique of the two figures. His remarks drew attention to what he perceives as a deep connection between the Prime Minister and the industrialist, suggesting that Modi’s protection of Adani in the face of serious allegations of corruption and fraud is indicative of a larger political and business nexus.
The interruption, while seemingly trivial, quickly became a point of political contention. Hours later, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra held a press conference to ridicule Gandhi’s comment, turning the situation into a lighthearted but cutting retort. Patra suggested that the power outage was not a mere coincidence, but possibly a deliberate act orchestrated by Congress colleague Jairam Ramesh, who, according to Patra, might have been frustrated by Gandhi’s repetitive focus on Modi and Adani. Patra’s response not only mocked the Congress leader for making Adani and Modi the central figures of his political commentary but also accused him of reducing serious national debates to personal vendettas.
At the heart of Gandhi’s attack was a new set of allegations against Adani. U.S. prosecutors have recently accused Gautam Adani, along with his nephew Sagar Adani and several associates, of orchestrating a bribery scheme involving Rs 2,029 crore to secure solar power contracts between 2020 and 2024. These allegations come on the heels of the previous controversy sparked by Hindenburg Research, which had accused the Adani Group of stock manipulation and other financial wrongdoings. While the Adani Group has vehemently denied both the bribery allegations and the stock manipulation claims, these repeated controversies have placed the company under intense scrutiny, both in India and abroad.
In his address, Gandhi seized on these new accusations, asserting that the Prime Minister is complicit in shielding Adani from investigation and accountability. According to Gandhi, the fact that Adani remains untouched by law enforcement despite being implicated in a Rs 2,000 crore scam suggests that the Prime Minister is directly intervening to protect him. Gandhi further argued that no investigation into Adani’s alleged wrongdoings could be credible unless the industrialist was arrested and interrogated. By drawing such a direct line between Modi and Adani, Gandhi aims to frame the Prime Minister as being at the center of what he claims is a corrupt and self-serving alliance between the government and business elites.
This accusation of complicity is not new for Modi, who has often been criticized by opposition parties for his close ties with business tycoons. However, Gandhi's remarks have now intensified this narrative, placing the spotlight squarely on the Prime Minister's role in shielding powerful corporate figures. Gandhi’s calls for Adani's arrest are part of a broader effort to hold Modi accountable, and to challenge what he sees as the uncritical relationship between the government and certain business conglomerates. By suggesting that Modi’s protection of Adani is not just a matter of corporate favoritism but one of personal and political protection, Gandhi is positioning the Prime Minister as a key player in a wider system of crony capitalism.
The BJP, however, has countered these allegations vigorously. In his response, Sambit Patra mocked Gandhi's repeated use of phrases like "Adani," "Ambani," and "chor" (thief), accusing the Congress leader of relying on stale rhetoric and cheap shots to make political points. Patra suggested that the power outage might have been a premeditated act, possibly orchestrated by Gandhi's colleagues, especially Jairam Ramesh, who could have been tired of hearing the same accusations being leveled by the Congress leader. Patra’s dismissal of Gandhi’s criticisms came with an accusation that the Congress leader is using such controversies as a distraction, particularly before key parliamentary sessions. Patra framed Gandhi’s tactic as one of creating disruption rather than engaging with serious policy issues, which he believes undermines India’s institutions.
The accusations against Adani are part of an ongoing saga that continues to dog the industrialist. The latest charges brought by U.S. prosecutors suggest that Adani’s company was involved in a scheme to bribe government officials to secure solar power contracts, raising questions about the transparency and fairness of such business deals. The Adani Group has strongly denied these charges, calling them “baseless” and stating that the company adheres to the highest standards of governance and compliance. In a statement, the group emphasized that these charges are merely allegations, and as per the U.S. legal system, the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The Adani Group also stated that it is exploring all legal avenues to address these accusations and defend its position.
For the BJP, the continuing controversy surrounding Adani presents a unique challenge. While the party has vigorously defended Modi’s relationship with Adani, claiming that it is rooted in legitimate business practices, the accusations against the Adani Group have taken on a larger, political dimension. The allegations of bribery and financial misconduct tie into broader criticisms of the BJP’s ties to big business, and opposition parties, particularly the Congress, are seizing on this narrative to paint the government as beholden to corporate interests. The Congress’s accusations that Modi is protecting Adani from legal scrutiny fit into this broader narrative of corporate favoritism and government corruption.
This controversy also highlights the ongoing tensions between the Congress and the BJP, which have become more pronounced in recent months. Gandhi’s persistent attacks on Modi’s alleged ties to Adani have become a central part of the opposition’s campaign, and the BJP’s rebuttals have become increasingly pointed. The political dynamic surrounding the Adani issue has raised questions about the influence of big business on the Indian political system, as well as the ability of opposition parties to hold the government accountable for perceived abuses of power.
As the legal and political battles surrounding the Adani Group continue to unfold, both in India and internationally, the debate over the relationship between business and politics will only intensify. The allegations against Adani, along with the political fallout from these accusations, are likely to remain a key issue in Indian politics for the foreseeable future. The public discourse surrounding the Adani controversy will continue to be a flashpoint, as both sides vie for control of the narrative and attempt to position themselves as the champions of accountability, transparency, and anti-corruption efforts in the face of mounting scrutiny.
