In a significant development, reports suggest that the Samajwadi Party (SP) is following the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in distancing itself from Congress-led protests over the Adani controversy. This has exposed growing cracks within the INDIA alliance. Congress, led by opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, has been vocal about the Adani issue in Parliament, with support from some alliance partners. However, both TMC and SP have opted to abstain from these protests.
The rift stems from allegations that Adani Group paid $250 million in bribes to Indian officials to secure solar energy contracts, as reported in a U.S.-filed lawsuit.
Earlier, the TMC boycotted a meeting convened by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge at his chamber, citing a lack of shared priorities with Congress. The TMC criticized Congress for having a different agenda and stayed away from the INDIA alliance discussions.
The controversy centers around accusations that Adani Group paid bribes amounting to ₹2,000 crore to state officials to secure energy supply agreements. Notably, the allegations involve non-BJP-ruled states, including Andhra Pradesh under Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Chhattisgarh under Congress, Odisha under BJD, Tamil Nadu under DMK, and Jammu & Kashmir under Governor’s rule during 2020-22.
Despite these allegations, Congress and its INDIA alliance partners have accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of corruption. Critics argue this highlights a double standard, as Congress has avoided implicating state leaders like Naveen Patnaik, M.K. Stalin, or Bhupesh Baghel in the alleged bribery scandal.
The rift within the alliance underscores the challenges in presenting a united front against the ruling BJP, particularly on contentious issues like the Adani controversy.
