TMC, SP missing as INDIA holds protest on Adani row

In a bid to strengthen unity within the INDIA bloc, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday reached out to Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders in the Lok Sabha after the party’s conspicuous absence from the Opposition protest on the Adani bribery indictment issue.

Gandhi approached TMC leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay during the morning session to understand the reasons for their absence. Bandyopadhyay reportedly informed Rahul that the TMC was unaware of the protest. Sources suggest he also conveyed that the party prioritises Bengal-centric and public issues, such as price rise and attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, over the Adani controversy.

Meanwhile, the SP, another absentee from the protest, denied any rift within the alliance. A senior SP leader said their party meeting on the Sambhal violence issue clashed with the Congress-led demonstration. “The Adani bribery issue is serious, and we will support it if raised again in Parliament,” the leader stated.

Several INDIA bloc partners, including the TMC, SP and the Left, had last week urged the Congress to highlight additional people-centric matters like the Sambhal violence and the Manipur ethnic crisis, which resonate more with the public.

To maintain bloc unity, the Congress had shown flexibility, joining the SP and TMC in raising the Sambhal violence and Bangladesh minorities’ issues in both Houses on December 2.

On Tuesday, Rahul led the INDIA bloc’s protest outside the main gate of the new Parliament building, demanding accountability on the Adani bribery allegations. The demonstration saw participation from several bloc partners, including the Left, RJD, DMK, Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), and others. Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also joined the protest.