The Congress on Monday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi whether the entire country would be handed over to Gautam Adani after revelations that the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) was continuing to invest in Adani companies despite the market mayhem.
Rahul Gandhi, who received a notice to vacate his official 12 Tughlaq Lane residence by April 22 following his disqualification as MP, too tweeted: “LIC’s capital for Adani. SBI’s capital for Adani. Even EPFO capital for Adani! Why is people’s retirement fund being invested into Adani companies even after the ‘Modani’ exposure? Mr Prime Minister, neither investigation, nor answers. Why are you so scared?”
Opposition MPs, wearing black in protest against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha, demonstrate over the Adani controversy in the Parliament complex on Monday. PTI picture
Opposition members persisted with the demand for a joint parliamentary committee on the Adani controversy, held demonstrations on Parliament’s premises and marched to Vijay Chowk wearing black, creating a spectacle.
The Congress has planned news conferences across the country over the next couple of days to counter the BJP’s attacks on Rahul, its defence of his disqualification and its condemnation of the Opposition over the Parliament deadlock.
Rahul and Sonia Gandhi arrive at Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence in New Delhi on Monday. PTI picture
Demonstrations and dharnas are continuing in several states with the Youth Congress leading the campaign in Delhi.
The Congress has received a boost with members of various Opposition parties wearing black in protest against Rahul’s disqualification and in support of the JPC demand.
A message on the Congress Twitter handle said: “EPFO funds also handed over to Adani? Wah Dost ji. Aapki dosti roz naye gul khila rahi hai. Pahle SBI, fir LIC aur ab EPFO. Pura desh dost ke naam kar denge (Wonderful, friend! Your friendship is scripting new episodes every day. First SBI, then LIC and now EPFO. Will you hand the entire country over to your friend)?”
The Opposition meeting underway at Kharge’s house in New Delhi Sourced by The Telegraph
Rahul notice
The Congress sees the swift eviction notice to Rahul as another evidence of a witchhunt. Party MP Nasir Hussain described the notice as a “new low” in Indian politics, saying the government’s sole intention seemed to be to humiliate and harass Rahul. Another MP, Manickam Tagore, said such petty tricks would not bother Rahul. Rahul is willing to vacate the house, but there will be complications because he has Z-plus security and the government knows it.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra exhorted the people to unite with a tweet on the EPFO’s investment in Adani companies, saying: “PF money can be given to Adani but corruption and shell companies will not be investigated. Prime Minister is on a ‘dost-bachao’ mission. We all should unite to save the country.”
Party president Mallikarjun Kharge said: “Modi has one obsession — Adani bachao, loktantra mitao (save Adani, destroy democracy).”
Addressing the media with leaders of other parties, Kharge said: “We thank the Opposition parties for expressing solidarity. We are wearing black to send out a message that Modi is conspiring to finish democracy. “While the Opposition leaders are hounded by the ED and the CBI, Modi is not willing to allow an investigation into the Adani affair despite so much evidence. Shouldn’t we ask how Adani earned lakhs of crores in a few years? Why is Modi helping Adani in this manner?”
Party communications chief Jairam Ramesh pointed to the disparity in the government’s statements on shell companies. “On June 8, 2018: Govt issues press release on activities of Task Force on Shell Companies calling them a ‘menace’. On March 21, 2023: Govt answers in Rajya Sabha that there is no definition of shell company & that it has no information. Modani Hai Toh Mumkin Hai,” he tweeted.
