Congress Has A Theory On Why Parliament Was Adjourned Sine Die On August 9
The Congress party has suggested that the sudden adjournment of Parliament on August 9 was prompted by the government’s anticipation of backlash following a new report by Hindenburg Research targeting the Adani Group. The Budget Session, originally scheduled to run until August 12, was abruptly cut short, a move that Congress believes was influenced by the timing of the Hindenburg report.
Hindenburg Research, known for its scathing reports, has renewed its focus on the Adani Group, this time alleging a conflict of interest within the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The report accuses SEBI Chairperson Madhabi Buch and her husband, Dhaval Buch, of holding stakes in offshore funds allegedly linked to the Adani money-laundering scandal. The Buchs have strongly denied these allegations, describing them as baseless and an attempt at character assassination.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted the timing of the Parliament adjournment, remarking that it was originally scheduled to continue until August 12 but was unexpectedly adjourned on August 9. He implied that the government preemptively concluded the session to avoid addressing potential fallout from the Hindenburg report.
“Parliament was notified to sit till the evening of Aug 12th. Suddenly it got adjourned sine die on the afternoon of Aug 9th itself. Now we know why,” Jairam Ramesh said.
Hon’ble President of India, on the recommendation of Government of India, has approved the proposal for summoning of both the Houses of Parliament for the Budget Session, 2024 from 22nd July, 2024 to 12 August, 2024 (Subject to exigencies of Parliamentary Business). Union Budget,…
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) July 6, 2024
On the final day of the session, the government issued a statement summarising the achievements of the Budget Session, noting high productivity in both houses of Parliament. However, the Congress party has maintained that the early adjournment raises questions about the government’s motivations, particularly in light of the fresh allegations against the Adani Group.
“The Budget Session, 2024 of Parliament which commenced on Monday, 22nd July, 2024 has been adjourned sine die today i.e. Friday, the 9th August, 2024. After constitution of 18th Lok Sabha, this was the first Budget Session and the Union Budget along with the Budget of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir was presented in Lok Sabha on Tuesday, 23rd of July, 2024,” a government statement said on August 9. And it had also claimed that the productivity of Lok Sabha during the Budget Session, 2024 was approximately 136 per cent and that of Rajya Sabha was approximately 118 per cent.
Hon’ble President of India, on the recommendation of Government of India, has approved the proposal for summoning of both the Houses of Parliament for the Budget Session, 2024 from 22nd July, 2024 to 12 August, 2024 (Subject to exigencies of Parliamentary Business). Union Budget,…
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) July 6, 2024
While notifying the Budget Session dates, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijuju wrote on X: “Hon’ble President of India, on the recommendation of Government of India, has approved the proposal for summoning of both the Houses of Parliament for the Budget Session, 2024 from 22nd July, 2024 to 12 August, 2024 (Subject to exigencies of Parliamentary Business). Union Budget, 2024-25 will be presented in Lok Sabha on 23 July, 2024.”
The Opposition, especially Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi, had cornered the government several times in the past alleging Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s friendship with top businessmen in the country had caused the promotion of crony capitalism. Mr Gandhi has even carried images of PM Modi with Gautam Adani to the floor of the house while participating in Parliamentary debates.
