BJP Declines to Defend Adani Amid Protests Over Bribery Allegations

In a significant development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has stated that it will not defend billionaire Gautam Adani amid growing opposition protests. This statement comes in light of Adani's recent indictment in the United States, where he faces serious allegations of bribery related to power deals in India.

The main opposition party, Congress, has accused the Modi government and the BJP of protecting Adani and obstructing independent investigations into his business dealings. These accusations have sparked protests across the country, with Congress workers demanding a thorough parliamentary inquiry into the matter.

According to US prosecutors, Gautam Adani, along with his nephew Sagar Adani and six others, has been charged with participating in a scheme to bribe Indian officials. This alleged scheme involved a staggering $265 million aimed at securing power supply contracts across five regions in India. The Adani Group has firmly denied these allegations, labeling them as "baseless" and has expressed its intention to pursue all available legal options.

In response to the unfolding situation, BJP spokesperson Gopal Krishna Agarwal emphasized, "We have nothing to defend him and we are not involved. Let him defend himself." He further clarified that the BJP does not oppose industrialists, viewing them as partners in the nation-building process. However, he asserted that the law must take its course if any wrongdoing is established.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, the Andhra Pradesh state government, which is ruled by a coalition that includes the BJP, has indicated it may consider canceling a power supply contract linked to the Adani Group. Reports suggest that the state is likely to suspend the contract and request a federal investigation into the allegations against Adani.

The charges against Adani and his associates involve accusations of bribing unnamed Indian government officials to secure solar power contracts in various states, including Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh, as well as in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) between 2021 and 2022. Notably, all these states were governed by parties opposed to Modi's ruling alliance at the time of the alleged offenses.

Despite the serious nature of these allegations, Agarwal expressed confidence that the Adani Group's projects would continue across different states, stating, "They have exposure in all states. And projects will continue, they will keep running." This statement reflects the complex relationship between politics and business in India, where industrialists often play a crucial role in the economy.

As this situation unfolds, it raises important questions about accountability and transparency in both the political and business arenas. The outcome of the investigations and the response from the government could have significant implications for India's economic landscape and the future of corporate governance in the country. It remains to be seen how this controversy will impact public trust in both the government and major industrial players like the Adani Group.