TMC skips INDIA bloc meet, signaling opposition split over Adani issue

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has opted not to attend the INDIA bloc meeting called by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge today, signaling a divergence from Congress' push to disrupt parliamentary proceedings over the Adani issue. Congress has been calling for the suspension of parliamentary business in order to discuss the indictment of Adani Group directors by the US Department of Justice. The indictment accuses executives from Adani Green Energy of involvement in bribery. This has led Congress to demand an urgent discussion in Parliament.

In response, Congress MP Manickam Tagore submitted an Adjournment Motion notice in the Lok Sabha this morning, seeking to initiate a debate on the Adani issue. However, opposition MPs from multiple parties have requested discussions on other pressing matters, including the destruction caused by Cyclone Fengal, violence in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, over a mosque survey, the targeting of ISKCON monks in Bangladesh, and delays in paddy procurement in Punjab. These matters are also seen as requiring urgent attention.

The TMC, under the leadership of general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, has emphasized that the party’s priorities for the Winter Session lie in addressing issues specific to Bengal. Banerjee reiterated that TMC would focus on regional concerns, particularly the Centre’s withholding of funds owed to Bengal. "We will prioritize Bengal’s issues first. The Centre has blocked Bengal’s dues. We want discussions in Parliament on these issues," Banerjee stated. He also emphasized that TMC would not support disrupting Parliament over a single issue such as the Adani case.

TMC senior MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar echoed Banerjee's position, asserting that the party does not want to disrupt the functioning of Parliament over one issue. "We do not want to disrupt the House on just one issue. We will hold this government accountable on multiple counts," she said. Ghosh Dastidar also mentioned that the unrest in Manipur and other regional matters would be raised during the session, underscoring the party’s broader agenda.

In the context of the Adani issue, the Adani Group has maintained that the charges of bribery are unfounded. The group has denied any involvement in financial misconduct. Gautam Adani, the chairman of the group, dismissed the allegations, stating that the Adani Group has faced challenges in the past and remains unaffected by the claims. “Every attack makes us stronger,” Adani said, emphasizing the group's resilience in the face of such allegations.

The ongoing disruptions in Parliament reflect the opposition’s differing priorities regarding which issues should be debated. The Winter Session, which started in late November, is scheduled to end on December 20. However, repeated adjournments have hampered legislative proceedings, with Congress continuing to call for a debate on the Adani matter, while TMC and other opposition parties are focused on regional issues such as natural disasters and unrest in various states. The split within the opposition over how to proceed with Parliament's business is evident, with some parties prioritizing national issues and others focusing on regional concerns.