New Delhi, Nov 21 (UNI) The BJP on Thursday dismissed the remarks made by leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Prime Minister Narendra Modi following US prosecutors alleged corruption charges on Adani Group saying Gandhi’s statements was part of a sustained effort to tarnish PM’s image.
Addressing a press conference at party headquarters here, BJP MP and party Spokesperson Sambit Patra said the states that allegedly received bribes from the Adani Group for solar power deals, as mentioned in the US indictment, were ruled by the opposition.
Taking pot shots at Rahul Gandhi, the BJP leader said, “He had raked up the Rafale issue in 2019 in a similar fashion.
Rahul had claimed that a big revelation would be made. During the Covid pandemic, he used to do press conferences in a similar fashion over vaccine. However, he had to apologise before the Supreme Court later,” the Puri MP said.
Patra said, “Today, since morning, we have been seeing in the media an issue regarding a company. There is a case against that company in the US. There are allegations and counter-allegations. We clearly believe that as far as the company and the case against it are concerned, the company will issue a statement and defend itself on its own. Law will take its own course.”
Responding to the former Congress President’s claim that PM’s credibility has ended, the BJP spokesperson said that the Congress had been trying to finish Modi’s credibility since 2002, but could never dent it.
“The matter relates to the agreement for sale and purchase of electricity, and the agreement with state distribution companies. Which are the four states mentioned in the US court? The matter pertains to the period between July 2021 and February 2022. Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha all had non-NDA governments at that time. They had neither our CMs nor ruling parties supported by us. But they had governments of the Congress or their allies,” Patra said.
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi in a press conference alleged that, “the Prime Minister is protecting Gautam Adani and he is involved in corruption with Adani”.
The US prosecutors have alleged that Adani Group paid $265 million in bribes to Indian government officials to secure contracts with state electricity distribution companies between 2021-2023. The Adani Group has, however, called the allegations baseless.
