Rahul Gandhi takes a jibe at Modi and Adani in Parliament, snaps photos of MPs in their masks

On Monday, Congress MPs Manickam Tagore and Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka wore face masks resembling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. This act was part of a larger protest by the opposition, which has been calling for a parliamentary inquiry into the bribery charges involving Adani. These charges, recently raised in the United States, allege that Adani and his associates paid over $250 million in bribes between 2020 and 2024 to Indian government officials in exchange for favorable solar energy contracts. The US prosecutors' investigation claims these payments were intended to secure contracts potentially worth over $2 billion in profits.

Congress Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi was present during the protest and was seen taking pictures of the two MPs in their masks. He also asked them to describe their "relationship," to which they humorously replied, “Hum dono milke sab karenge,” referencing their portrayal of Modi and Adani as connected figures. This exchange occurred amid the ongoing demand for a joint parliamentary investigation into the allegations against Adani.

Since the beginning of the Winter Session on November 20, Parliament has witnessed several adjournments due to the opposition's consistent demand for a discussion on the bribery charges. The opposition parties, particularly from the INDIA alliance, have repeatedly called for a joint parliamentary probe into the allegations. They argue that the government is avoiding a transparent discussion on the matter. The Adani Group has denied the bribery claims, calling them "baseless," and maintains that the company operates with transparency and adherence to the law.

In addition to the Adani issue, the opposition has raised concerns over allegations involving former Congress president Sonia Gandhi. The Congress party has been accused by BJP leaders of having links to organizations funded by the George Soros Foundation, which allegedly supports the idea of separating Kashmir from India. The Congress party has vehemently denied these claims.

As the session progresses, the protests and demands for a parliamentary probe continue, leading to frequent disruptions in the functioning of both Houses of Parliament. Despite the ongoing protests, the government has not agreed to a parliamentary inquiry into the bribery charges, and the debate remains unresolved. The opposition continues to push for action, while the government maintains that the allegations are without merit.