Naidu, Pawan and Jagan are in cahoots to protect Adani, alleges A.P. Congress leader

The NDA government is yet to take any stand on the bribery charges pressed against the Adani group in the USA court, says Kolanukonda Shivaji

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) vice-president Kolanukonda Shivaji on Tuesday (November 3) slammed the State government’s ‘wait-and-watch’ approach on the Adani bribery issue, alleging that ‘Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy are in cahoots’.

In a statement, Mr. Shivaji said the FBI had filed a 52-page indictment in a U.S.A. court alleging that the Adani Group had paid a bribe of ₹1,750 crore to the Andhra Pradesh government officials under the guise of a technical project.

“Despite this revelation, the ruling coalition government did not take any stand on the issue even in the Cabinet meeting held on December 3,” said Mr. Shivaji.

True-up charges

Referring to the electricity true-up charges, the Congress leader said the government had imposed an additional burden of ₹1,10,000 crore on the people, with the first instalment of ₹15,000 crore already collected through electricity bills.

He said instead of cancelling the agreement, the government representatives were giving excuses.

Mr. Shivaji pointed out that countries such as Kenya and Bangladesh had already cancelled all agreements with the Adani group following the FBI’s investigation.

“Why is the A.P. government protecting former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy,” he asked, demanding that the government immediately prosecute those involved, cancel the 25-year power purchase agreement signed with the Adani group and relieve the people of Andhra Pradesh of the burden of ‘true-up’ charges.

Referring to the Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar’s allegation of forced transfer of Kakinada Sea Port management from K.V. Rao to Aurobindo Realties, the Congress leader said the government did not announce any roadmap to address the issue. He said people were concerned about the justice that would be served to Mr. K.V. Rao, the port owner.

He demanded that a fast-track court be set up to investigate and punish those involved in the illegal transportation of PDS rice worth ₹48,000 crore from the Kakinada Port.

Published - December 03, 2024 08:41 pm IST