How close is Gautam Adani to PM Modi? Industrialist answers
Industrialist Gautam Adani spoke to Raj Chengappa, Group Editorial Director (Publishing), India Today Group about several issues, including criticisms he faces and the allegations that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is behind his meteoric rise. “PM Modi and I come from Gujarat and that makes me an easy target of such allegations,” he said.
“When I look back at my journey, I can divide it into four phases. Many will be surprised to know it all began during the tenure of Rajiv Gandhi when he liberalised the Exim policy and several items were brought onto the open list. That is what helped start my export house. But for Rajiv Gandhi, my journey as an entrepreneur would never have taken off,” he said.
“The second big push was in 1991 when then PM Narsimha Rao and Manmohan Singh initiated sweeping economic reforms. Just like other entrepreneurs, I too was a beneficiary of those reforms. The third turning point came in 1995 when Keshubhai Patel was sworn in as the chief minister of Gujarat. Until then, all industrial development in Gujarat was only around NH8 from Mumbai to Delhi. Patel was a visionary and had a focus on coastal development and it was that policy change that took me to Mundra and prompted me to build our first port,” Adani said.
The fourth turning point was in 2001, Adani said. “It was in 1991, when Gujarat witnessed a massive focus on development under Chief Minister Narendra Modi. His policies and implementations went on to not only change the economic landscape of the state but also brought social transformations and development of under-developed areas. He also allowed industries and employment to take off like never before.”
“Today, under PM Modi’s able leadership, we are seeing a similar resurgence. New India is asserting. It is unfortunate that such narratives are being pushed against me. These allegations are baseless and suffer from bias, seeing our group’s success from a short-term lens. The fact is that my professional success is not because of any individual leader but because of the policy and reforms initiated by several leaders and governments during a long period of three decades,” he asserted.
PM Modi’s style of leadership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided a “visionary and inspirational leadership to India”, Adani said. “He has not only brought policy changes but also changes to schemes that directly touch the lives of every Indian. There is hardly any aspect of governance that he has not touched. He is trying hard to bring transformative changes not only in the Indian economy but also pushing for social transformation and inclusive growth,” he said.
“The PM’s equally strong focus on social factors, agriculture, the economy and underdeveloped areas, with a safety net for the poor has ensured that the growth is inclusive and sustainable,” the billionaire chairman and founder of Adani Group said.
