MK Stalin’s party denies ties to Adani Group amid bribe row, calls for probe

The DMK government in Tamil Nadu has denied any direct ties to the Adani group following allegations in a US court that the conglomerate promised bribes to Indian government officials between July 2021 and February 2022. The claims, tied to state electricity distribution companies signing solar power purchase agreements with the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), have sparked political upheaval nationwide.
Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Senthil Balaji clarified that the state’s power department has not entered into any direct agreements with the Adani group since the DMK came to power in 2021. “The Tamil Nadu Electricity Department does not have any commercial or direct relationship with the Adani group,” Balaji stated. He emphasised that Tamil Nadu signed a deal in September 2021 with SECI, a central government agency, to purchase 1,500 MW of solar power at a competitive rate of Rs 2.61 per unit for 25 years.
Amid growing criticism, DMK spokesperson A Saravanan challenged the BJP-led central government to investigate the allegations. “Why are BJP leaders defending a corrupt group? If they have no connection with Adani, why not order an inquiry? If bribes were taken, arrest the culprits. The BJP has the CBI and ED at its disposal, do they have the courage to register an FIR and name Adani as Accused No. 1?” Saravanan asked.
Saravanan also noted that the DMK government had earlier approved a preliminary inquiry into a coal import scam from the AIADMK regime, in which the Adani group was accused of supplying substandard coal for power generation.
Despite the severity of the allegations, there has been silence from Tamil Nadu’s primary opposition parties. AIADMK leader and Opposition Leader Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) is yet to comment, while BJP state chief K Annamalai has remained conspicuously quiet.
The lack of response has led to calls for judicial intervention. Jayaram Venkatesan, convenor of the anti-corruption NGO Arappor Iyakkam, criticised both the state and central governments for passing the blame. “Both the Centre and the states are involved in this matter. Courts should take it up suo motu,” he told India Today.
Venkatesan, who previously exposed the TANGEDCO coal import scam involving the Adani group, questioned the DMK government’s political will to investigate the allegations. He pointed out that while the DMK denies direct dealings with Adani, the US court allegations suggest Adani promised bribes to secure agreements with SECI, which Tamil Nadu’s electricity department also contracted. “This requires investigation. Was any bribe promised for TANGEDCO? Are state government officials implicated? These questions must be answered. An FIR should be filed immediately,” Venkatesan said.
He also called for blacklisting the Adani group from Tamil Nadu’s power sector, citing the gravity of the allegations. “Why can’t the state blacklist Adani, given the serious charges against them?” Venkatesan questioned.