Opposition MPs Stage Protest and Mock 'Interview' Outside Parliament Over Adani Issue

In New Delhi, opposition MPs, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, staged a protest on Monday, performing a mock 'interview' outside Parliament to draw attention to the ongoing Adani controversy. The MPs wore masks impersonating Prime Minister Narendra Modi and billionaire Gautam Adani while responding to questions posed by Rahul Gandhi.

मोदी-अडानी का EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW ???? pic.twitter.com/gkgOTHaxSm

— Congress (@INCIndia) December 9, 2024

During the mock interview, Gandhi asked the MPs, dressed as Modi and Adani, to describe their "relationship." The lawmakers, speaking through their masks, humorously replied, "We do everything together. We have had a relationship for years."

When questioned about the repeated disruptions in Parliament proceedings, the MPs under the Modi and Adani masks replied, "He is missing today. Amit Bhai (Union Home Minister Amit Shah) did not come to the House today." The MP wearing the Adani mask added, "Whatever I say, he does it," while pointing to the colleague wearing the PM Modi mask.

Rahul Gandhi later took to social media, sharing an image from the mock interview with the caption, "This is a special and long-standing relationship!"

The protest was part of the opposition's continued push for a discussion in Parliament regarding the bribery charges allegedly involving Adani in the United States. Despite the ongoing disruptions, with the Lok Sabha being adjourned multiple times, the opposition has maintained its demand for a debate on the issue.

Notably, Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Samajwadi Party MPs were absent from the protest. NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule also did not participate. Commenting on the TMC’s absence, MP Kirti Azad stated that it was Congress's responsibility to unite the opposition. He added that if Congress fails to bring the opposition together, figures like Mamata Banerjee of TMC would naturally step forward to take charge.

Rahul Gandhi, earlier in the day, criticized Prime Minister Modi, urging him to attend the Winter Session of Parliament and not shy away from an investigation into the Adani matter. In a post on social media, Gandhi wrote, "Modi ji, come to Parliament, don’t fear an inquiry into Adani."

The Congress party, alongside its allies in the INDIA alliance, has been pressing the government for a thorough discussion on Adani’s alleged involvement in bribery, which has been a focal point of the ongoing Winter Session.