Nitish Kumar, the chief minister of Bihar, declined on Saturday to engage in a debate with Sharad Pawar, the president of the NCP, over his resistance to the opposition’s call for a JPC investigation into claims against the Adani Group.
The Maratha strongman’s desire for an inquiry by a “Supreme Court-appointed Committee” did not, however, appear to impress the JD(U) supreme leader, whose party has been backing the call for a joint parliamentary committee probe in Parliament.
When questioned about the position taken by Pawar, whom he had visited last year as part of attempts to rally parties opposed to the BJP, the Bihar CM said, “I learned about it through the media.
“He (Pawar) should expand on what he has stated. Individuals vary in their viewpoints “Kumar said, standing behind JD(U) national president Rajiv Ranjan Singh, aka Lalan, a Munger MP who recently made headlines for his rants on the Adani issue during a Parliamentary session.
Pawar defended the Adani Group in an interview with NDTV and criticised the spin placed on the US-based Hindenburg Research research on the company.
As the governing party would have a majority in the JPC based on numerical strength in Parliament, Pawar said he preferred a Supreme Court committee to investigate claims against the Adani Group. This would raise questions about the validity of the inquiry.
The Adani Group has refuted Hindenburg Research’s allegations of fraud and stock market manipulation made against its firms, which led to an unparalleled stock market fall.
In addition, questions on the recent racial unrest in Sasaram and Bihar Sharif towns were directed at Kumar, who was present at a “Iftar” held here by his party.
“Both locations have administrative machinery in operation. Help and support will be given to those who have experienced losses of any kind, “added Kumar.
