India’s political scene erupted as opposition protests intensified over allegations against billionaire Gautam Adani, accused of orchestrating a $265 million bribery scheme to secure power contracts across multiple Indian regions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), often accused by critics of shielding Adani, sought to distance itself from the controversy.
“We have nothing to defend him and are not involved. Let him defend himself,” BJP spokesperson Gopal Krishna Agarwal stated, emphasizing that while industrialists are seen as “partners in nation-building,” the law must prevail when wrongdoing arises.
Adani, a business magnate with expansive interests from ports to power, was recently indicted by U.S. prosecutors alongside his nephew Sagar Adani and several associates. They allegedly funneled bribes to unnamed Indian officials to secure solar power contracts between 2021 and 2022 in states like Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir. The Adani Group has dismissed these allegations as “baseless” and pledged to explore all legal options.
The opposition Congress party has seized on the scandal, accusing Modi’s government of obstructing independent investigations into Adani’s dealings and demanding a parliamentary probe. Protests have erupted nationwide, with Congress workers taking to the streets, amplifying calls for accountability.
In Andhra Pradesh, a state governed by a BJP-aligned alliance, officials announced they might suspend a power supply contract linked to Adani while urging a federal investigation into the accusations.
While BJP representatives claim no direct involvement, Adani’s business interests span states governed by both allies and rivals of Modi’s coalition. Despite the mounting allegations, BJP officials expect Adani’s projects to proceed uninterrupted, highlighting his extensive presence across the nation.
As the scandal unfolds, both opposition leaders and public protesters are intensifying demands for transparency and justice, placing Modi’s government under growing scrutiny in the lead-up to key elections.
