‘Need strong evidence before taking action’: Chandrababu Naidu asserts evidence-based action on Adani bribery allegations

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said that the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) agreement to purchase power from the Adani Group benefits the state government, stressing that any action on allegations of bribery against the group will depend on a careful review. From available records.

Speaking to the media at the Telugu Desam Party headquarters in Mangalagiri on Wednesday, Naidu said: “We will proceed as per the legal provisions after carefully examining the records.”

On Tuesday, while speaking in Vijayawada, he stressed that the state government cannot cancel contracts without strong evidence of irregularities. “Canceling contracts without clear evidence could result in severe penalties. We need hard evidence before taking any action,” he explained.

This development comes more than a month after US authorities indicted Gautam Adani on charges of bribing Indian officials to secure lucrative solar energy contracts. Speaking before the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly on November 22, Naidu confirmed that his government had received the US charge report and assured that necessary action would be taken if any discrepancies were discovered.

Reiterating his stance on the ruling, Naidu said: “I will never engage in a politics of revenge, but I will not shun those who commit wrongdoing. No one, no matter how powerful, is above the law.”

He also criticized the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government led by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, accusing it of dismantling vital systems and stalling major projects like Amaravati and Polavaram. “People suffered greatly during the five-year rule of YSRCP due to chaotic policies. It created havoc in major infrastructure and development projects,” he added.

Naidu praised the public’s confidence in his leadership, which was reflected in what he called a “historic verdict” that returned the LDF-led alliance to power in 2024. He noted his proactive efforts since taking office, including multiple visits to New Delhi to secure the center of power. Funds and solve technical bottlenecks.

Taking a tough tone against online dissent, Naidu warned of strict action against objectionable posts on social media. “People will see the same determination that I showed when I was prime minister in 1995. Strict action will be taken against those who spread objectionable content online,” he warned.

The US indictment against Adani alleges that he personally met with a high-ranking Andhra Pradesh official, referred to as “Foreign Official 1,” several times in 2021 to advance power supply agreements between SECI and state electricity distribution companies in Andhra Pradesh. While the official was not named, SEC filings indicate that Adani met the state’s chief minister in August 2021. During the period from May 2019 to June 2024, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy served as the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh.

In response, the YSR Congress Party denied the existence of any direct agreements between power distribution companies in the state and the Adani Group, stressing that these allegations were baseless.