Tamil Nadu MP Stalin’s DMK govt rejects Adani bribery allegations, calls for probe amid political fallout – Tamil Nadu News

Tamil Nadu’s DMK government has denied any direct links to the Adani group following allegations by a US court that the conglomerate promised bribes to Indian government officials between July 2021 and February 2022. The claims, linked to state electricity distribution companies signing solar procurement agreements with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), have sparked nationwide political upheaval.

Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Senthil Balaji has clarified that the state’s power department has not entered into any direct deal with the Adani group since the DMK came to power in 2021. “Tamil Nadu Electricity Department has no business relationship or direct with the Adani group. Balaji stated. He pointed out that Tamil Nadu signed an agreement in September 2021 with SECI, a central government agency, to buy 1,500 MW of solar power at a competitive rate of Rs 2.61 per unit for 25 years.

Amid mounting criticism, DMK spokesperson A Saravanan challenged the BJP-led central government to investigate the allegations. “Why are BJP leaders defending a corrupt group? If they have nothing to do with Adani, why not order an investigation? If bribes were taken, arrest the culprits. BJP has CBI and ED at their disposal, they have the guts to register an FIR and name Adani as accused no. 1?” asked Saravanan.

Saravanan also noted that the DMK government had earlier approved a preliminary inquiry into a coal import scam by the AIADMK regime in which the Adani group was accused of supplying substandard coal for power generation.

Despite the seriousness of the allegations, there has been silence from the primary opposition parties in Tamil Nadu. AIADMK leader and Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) is yet to comment, while BJP state chief K Annamalai has remained conspicuously silent.

The lack of response led to calls for judicial intervention. Jayaram Venkatesan, convener of anti-corruption NGO Arappor Iyakkam, criticized both the state and central governments for passing the blame. “Both the Center and the states are involved in this matter. Courts should take this into consideration,” he told India Today.

Venkatesan, who had earlier exposed the TANGEDCO coal import scam involving the Adani group, questioned the DMK government’s political will to investigate the allegations. He pointed out that while the DMK denies direct dealings with Adani, the US court’s allegations suggest that Adani promised bribes to secure deals with SECI, which the Tamil Nadu electricity department also contracted. “This needs investigation. Was any bribe promised to TANGEDCO? Are state government officials involved? These questions must be answered. An FIR should be lodged immediately,” Venkatesan said.

He also called for the blacklisting of the Adani group in Tamil Nadu’s power sector, citing the seriousness of the allegations. “Why can’t the state blacklist Adani given the serious allegations against them?” Venkatesan asked.