By Insaf
Adani Bribe Scandal
AP, states in eye of storm
The indictment of Gautam Adani and seven others in the United States involving bribes has stirred up a hornet’s nest! The timing couldn’t be worse for the BJP-led NDA government as it comes on the eve of the Parliament session beginning Monday! Expectedly, the Opposition, including Congress, TMC, NC, has already trained their guns and fired salvos. In Delhi, Rahul Gandhi has asked for the arrest of Adani while accusing PM Modi of protecting him: in Kolkata TMC MP Saket Gokhale questioned ‘GoI’s silence and how much is Modi & BJP’s involvement?’ In Srinagar NC Farooq Abdullah said the Centre must launch a thorough probe. On the backfoot, BJP has questioned the timing while asserting that ‘all States mentioned where government officials were paid bribes were Opposition-ruled during that time’!
The fact remains that Adani and company offered $265 million in bribes for securing ‘lucrative solar energy supply contracts’ with state electricity distribution companies (in Odisha, J&K, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh). Importantly, 85% of the alleged bribe was said to be given to a top-ranking official in Andhra Pradesh and all eyes are on how the NDA partner now will deal with it. Well, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has finally reacted and told the Assembly that the state government is in possession of the reports and shall take necessary action against any irregularities. More so as the brand image and prestige of AP has been hurt! But he passed on the blame to his predecessor, YSRCP regime from 2019 to 2024. However, Jagan Reddy has said the allegations are incorrect and ‘there’s no direct agreement between AP power distribution companies and any other entities, including those belonging to Adani Group.’ Predictably, all out efforts will be made to pass on the buck. The shenanigans will be worth a watch. It may turn out to be another round of Centre-State blame game!
All Eyes On Maharashtra
All eyes will be on Maharashtra as counting of votes begins today. Both ruling Mahayuti alliance and Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) constituents claim they will form the government. While a majority of exit polls have predicted the former shall retain power, a few have favoured the latter. Be that as it may, a nagging tension emerges on both sides as to who amongst their alliance would head the government. While the numbers at the end shall help decide, fissures may appear in the alliances. For one, Congress top brass has gone to Mumbai to work out possibilities if the MVA is victorious. Interestingly the MVA has decided to ‘house all its newly-elected MLAs together in Mumbai’ after poll results. This is a move aimed at ‘preventing poaching’ ahead of government formation. Indeed, something to worry about as past experience has shown that in the power game, every seat can be critical. The MVA is claiming it shall win 160 of the 288-Assembly seats and is at the same time looking at independents, who it claims have shown interest in joining the opposition camp. For the Mahayuti alliance, the Eknath Shinde camp feels he should retain the seat, but the BJP too is eyeing it. Guess, with no formula in place, each of the constituents will need to choose their leader.
Delhi’s Further Woes
There’s more bad news for Delhiites. If choking in polluted air was not enough, actions of MCD and Delhi Jal Board have led to ‘serious water pollution.’ On Wednesday last, National Green Tribunal imposed a fine of over Rs 50 crore on the two agencies, observing: DJB failed to discharge its statutory duties in preventing sewage discharge into storm water drains which meet river Yamuna; MCD ‘acted beyond its authority to alter conditions and functional efficacy of a storm water drain in South Delhi.’ Worse, it wasn’t a case where DJB failure was noticed, condemned and castigated for first time “but various (previous) orders clearly show repeated directions were issued, time and opportunity granted but all efforts have failed.” Storm water drain system, said NGT, should carry rainwater, ‘nothing else to maintain ecology and environment’ and that raw sewage in storm water drains caused ‘serious water pollution’. Likewise, MCD was “wholly unmindful and illegal activity of covering a part of a drain to make additional parking land available, worsening the existing situation.” Will the two pay the fine or will action be taken against erring officials? Citizens should demand an answer.
Wrong Move In Jammu?
Kashmiri Pandits have received a jolt in Jammu. Instead of situation improving with an elected government in place, the winds of change don’t seem to be blowing for them. Undertaking a demolition drive on Wednesday last, Jammu Development Authority broke down a dozen shops near Muthi camp set up three decades ago in the city belonging to the displaced Pandits ‘without issuing notices.’ These triggered protests demanding action against the officials. While the Relief Commissioner claimed the land belonged to the Authority and that new shops would be constructed for them in the area in a new shopping complex, the Opposition, particularly BJP, jumped in. Said its spokesperson on X: “This visibly seems to be a revenge action soon after the return of the NC-Congress government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.” Others said, “This act further deepens their sense of alienation and loss.” Indeed, a bad call by the elected government. It could have waited for another month as the relief department is already constructing shops for the KPs within the camp. Surely, heaven’s wouldn’t have fallen!
Respect The Constitution
Three cheers to Kerala High Court. It has ordered a further investigation into alleged ‘insult’ to the Constitution by Kerala Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian. Disrespect to the Constitution, is clearly unacceptable and the minister’s speech (at an event in July 2022) had words which ‘can’t be terms of respect generally’. The HC’s direction has made Congress-led UDF Opposition and BJP demand Cherian’s resignation or his sacking. On his part, Cherian said he would take a call after going through the order. According to the judge, ‘it was a matter of common perception in Malayalam language that the words — kuntham (spear) and kudachakram (a type of firecracker) — “when spoken in collocation with each other, can’t be stated to be used in a respectful manner”. The words, he was firm, shows disrespect to the Constitution and ‘there can’t be two views on his statement.’ It contended that the investigating officer’s conclusion of no disrespect ‘is not legally tenable.’ Besides, the magisterial court erred in accepting the IO’s report. There is need for a fair probe, the HC asserted, while allowing a plea by a lawyer challenging magisterial court decision and IO report. And, it must be conducted by state crime branch and without undue delay. How soon, is the big question in God’s own country. —INFA