A day after his sensational remarks expressing doubts over a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the Hindenburg Research report against the Adani Group, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sharad Pawar on Saturday claimed that he was in favour of a Supreme Court-monitored investigation.
The senior leader also frowned at the manner in which the names of industrialists like Ambani-Adani were being tossed around to target the BJP government at the Centre instead of bigger issues like inflation, unemployment and farmers.
Clarifying his stance after the ruckus following his comments to a TV channel on Friday, Pawar said he was not opposed to the JPC probe, but if the Committee comprises 21 members, then 15 would be from the ruling side and the remaining six from the Opposition side.
In view of the imbalance, coupled with the government's majority in both Houses of Parliament, the NCP supremo opined that the JPC report would only "endorse the government's stand on the Adani issue".
"I feel that instead of a JPC, a Supreme Court-appointed commission is more reliable and independent," said Pawar, adding that he had no knowledge of the Rs 20,000-crore raised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
He also attempted to delink the question of a united Opposition front vis-a-vis the demand for a JPC and said the two are not connected though his utterances sent shockwaves among the Opposition circles.
"I don't think the demand for JPC has anything to do with Opposition unity. We have also made the same plea but it would be commanded by the ruling party, so I spoke about a SC-named panel," declared Pawar.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said in Mumbai that "there's nothing new in what Pawar has said", and his statement would have no impact on the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in the state as speculated in some sections of the media.
The Congress has yet to respond in the matter after Pawar's interview to a news channel questioning the demand for a JPC probe, the credence to be given to a report by a foreign institution.
73rd B.N. Mullik Memorial All India Police Football Championship begins, CM lauds Police's role
Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today lauded the role of Tripura Police in carrying out various social activities, apart from significantly improving the state's law and order situation.
Tripura to create, fill up 333 posts in various departments
The Tripura Government has announced plans to create and fill up 333 posts across multiple state departments. The decision was taken during a recent cabinet meeting and was revealed by Cabinet Spokesperson Sushanta Chowdhury at a press conference on Monday.
Explosions near Russian Consulate in France have signs of terrorist attack: Moscow
The Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday stated that explosions on the territory of the Russian Consulate General in France's Marseilles resemble a terrorist attack.
Air Force Base in Bangladesh attacked, several injured
In a major incident of lawlessness that is currently prevailing in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus, several miscreants launched an ambush attack on an Air Force Base in Cox's Bazar on the southeast coast of the country.
Indian tech industry to hit $300 bn revenue in FY26, workforce to reach 5.8 mn in FY25
The Indian tech industry is projected to reach $300 billion revenue in FY26, a Nasscom report said on Monday, adding that in the current fiscal (estimated), the industry will add at least 126,000 net new employees, taking the total workforce to 5.8 million.
Telangana tunnel collapse: L&T teams with advanced equipment join rescue operation
Two teams of construction major Larsen & Toubro with advanced equipment on Monday joined the operation to rescue eight trapped workers from an under-construction tunnel, a portion of which collapsed on February 22 in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district.
Right time to invest in Madhya Pradesh: PM Modi at Global Investors Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the Global Investors Summit here highlighting investment opportunities in Madhya Pradesh and urging investors to tap available potential in the state.
Govt backs India Inc. bid to become major exporter of power equipment
India is on the path to becoming a major exporter of power equipment, with global players showing strong interest in the country’s domestic manufacturing capabilities, Secretary, Ministry of Power, Pankaj Agarwal has said.