Congress On Defensive After NCP Chief Sharad Pawar Says Adani Group Was 'Targeted' By US-Based Short Seller

Congress on Friday (7 April) appeared in a defensive mode after National Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar said that the Adani Group was seemingly "targeted" by the US-based short-seller Hindenburg Research.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that the NCP, which is part of the opposition alliance, may have its view but 19 like-minded opposition parties are convinced that the "PM-linked Adani Group issue" is real and very serious.

"But all 20 like-minded Opposition parties including NCP are united and will be together in saving the Constitution & our democracy from the BJP's assaults and in defeating the BJP's divisive and destructive political, social and economic agenda," Ramesh was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express.

In an interview with NDTV, Pawar came out in support of the Adani Group and criticised the narrative around Hindenburg Research's report on the conglomerate.

Pawar said that several individuals had made similar statements before, causing turmoil in Parliament for a few days. However, this time, the significance of the issue was blown out of proportion, he said.

"The issues that were kept, who kept them, we had never heard of these people who gave the statement, what is the background. When they raise issues that cause a ruckus across the country, the cost is borne by the country's economy, we cannot disregard these things. It seems this was targeted," Pawar said.

"An individual industrial group of the country was targeted, that is what it seems. If they have done anything wrong, there should be an inquiry," the NCP chief said.

Pawar's statement comes as several opposition parties, led by the Congress, protested through the second half of the budget session of Parliament demanding a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the Adani issue.

In its report, The Hindenburg Research has made a litany of allegations, including fraudulent transactions and share-price manipulation, against the Adani Group.

The Gautam Adani-led group has dismissed the charges as lies, saying it complies with all laws and disclosure requirements.