The Congress on Monday alleged that electricity tenders in Rajasthan and Maharashtra are structured to benefit the Adani Group, accusing the BJP-led governments in these states of reducing competition and funneling taxpayer money to “the Prime Minister’s close friends.”
In a statement posted on X, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said the pace of decisions in BJP-ruled states to enrich the Prime Minister’s friends is accelerating. He pointed to two large electricity tenders that have been designed to limit the number of eligible bidders, favoring larger players like Adani.
Ramesh claimed that tenders for power procurement in Rajasthan and Maharashtra combine both thermal and solar energy sources, which gives an advantage to companies operating in both sectors, like Adani. He suggested splitting the procurement into separate tenders to allow smaller players, particularly in renewable energy, to compete.
“This combined procurement approach fits perfectly with Adani’s planned investments,” Ramesh said, further alleging that the tenders align with Adani Group’s solar projects in Rajasthan and other planned investments in Maharashtra.
Ramesh warned that this system would stifle competition, foster oligopolies, and lead to higher long-term costs for consumers and taxpayers. He described it as “cronyism” that benefits large corporations at the public’s expense.
The Congress Party has been consistently vocal about its concerns regarding financial irregularities related to the Adani Group and has criticized the government for allegedly favoring the conglomerate. These accusations have resurfaced since the Hindenburg Research report earlier this year, which alleged fraudulent practices by the Adani Group, claims that the company has repeatedly denied.
