28-03-2023 : Ajay Maken, a senior leader of the Congress party, stated that their campaign following the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha is aimed at protecting democracy and exposing corruption in the country. Maken reiterated the party’s demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to investigate the allegations against the Adani Group. He pointed out that Gandhi was disqualified for raising serious questions about the links between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Adani in Parliament, instead of getting answers. Maken emphasized that their fight is not for Rahul Gandhi, but to safeguard democracy and expose corruption in the country.
He further stated that the JPC is essential to expose the connection between Modi and Adani and identify shell companies that may have direct backing from China and Pakistan. Maken cited the sequence of events leading to the disqualification issue to substantiate his charge against the BJP. He explained that a BJP MLA filed a complaint in Surat just three days after Rahul Gandhi’s Adani speech in Parliament, and the BJP deliberately disrupted Parliament to avoid further discussion on Adani or the demand for a JPC. Maken asked why the Modi government is scared of a JPC and called on the government to respect the joint demand of the opposition.
He explained that on April 13, 2019, Rahul Gandhi made an election speech in Kolar, Karnataka, where he questioned the links between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Adani. On April 16, 2019, a BJP MLA filed a complaint in Surat, Gujarat, regarding the speech. On March 7, 2022, the complainant sought a stay from Gujarat HC on his own complaint, and the HC granted a stay. On February 7, 2023, Rahul Gandhi made a speech questioning the relationship between Adani and PM Modi in Lok Sabha. On February 16, 2023, the complainant withdrew his own request for a stay in Gujarat HC. On February 27, 2023, hearings resumed in the trial court, and on March 23, 2023, the trial court convicted Rahul Gandhi and handed down the maximum sentence of 2 years. The Lok Sabha secretariat disqualified Rahul Gandhi within 24 hours.
Maken alleged that a BJP MLA revived the case just nine days after Rahul Gandhi’s Adani speech in Parliament. He also accused the BJP of deliberately disrupting Parliament to avoid further discussion on Adani or the demand for a JPC. Maken asked why the Modi government is scared of a JPC and called on the government to respect the joint demand of the opposition.