Kharge pitches for JPC on Adani issue in Parliament

New Delhi: In an apparent reference to billionaire businessman Gautam Adani, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday claimed that his “wealth” had increased 13 times in the last two-and-a-half years and demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe to ascertain how it happened. Participating in a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the ‘Motion of Thanks’ to the President’s address to Parliament, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) said, “In 2014, the PM had made a big ‘jumla’- ‘Na khaunga na khane dunga’ (Neither will I indulge in corruption, nor will I allow anyone else to do corruption). I want to ask why few selected industrialists are being fed?”
Kharge claimed, “In 2.5 years, the wealth of a close friend of Modi increased by 13 times. In 2014, he had Rs 50,000 crore. In 2019, it became one lakh crore rupees. What magic suddenly happened in the two years that it became Rs 12 lakh crore ? I am unable to understand.” He added, “Therefore, we demanded a JPC probe so that everything is crystal clear.”
Several Opposition parties, including Congress, have been demanding probe by a JPC or 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. Kharge also accused the ruling BJP leaders of indulging in ‘divisive’ politics. “Again and again, I see many MPs and Ministers only do ‘Hindu-Muslim’. Is there no other issue in the country? Whether it is Hindu or Muslim, we have to respect every religion,” the Congress leader said. “Today, ‘hatred’ is spreading everywhere , which is being promoted by the representatives and Ministers. Why is the PM ji silent? You (PM) should warn everyone,” Kharge said, asking, “Why are you (PM) not warning them?”
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar objected to these remarks made by Kharge regarding the PM. “It does not suit your stature. At least I did not expect it . I will not allow the debate to go to that level. The discussion cannot go to an allegation which you cannot substantiate,” Dhankar said. Mentioning unemployment, Kharge said, “At present 30 lakh posts are vacant in the country. What is the government doing? Government should strengthen the public sector.”