Gautam Adani backs out of Wharton India forum in support of Modi

Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani group, has canceled his Wharton visit in support of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. The Adani Group is one of the main sponsors of the Wharton India forum, an annual student-run India-centric conference hosted by the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

A first generation entrepreneur, Gautam Adani has led the Adani group from a modest background to create a $8 billion professionally-managed empire in a relatively short period of time, but not without glitches.

Gautam Adani[/caption]

Both Adani and Modi are reported to have close links and Aam Aadmi Party supremo Kejriwal has in the past accused Modi for allegedly rigging a bid in favour of the Gautam Adani-promoted Adani Group for the supply of expensive electricity, even as cheaper power tariffs were offered by the state-owned Gujarat Mineral Development Corp.

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He also claimed the Adani Group was given land at cheap prices in Gujarat.

The Gujarat-based firm, however, said Adani had taken himself out of the event almost a fortnight back in an apparent reference that his absence is not related to the cancellation of Modi's address.

"Adani has conveyed his inability to join Wharton India Economic Forum long back (almost a fortnight ago) as he has other pressing commitments," an Adani Group spokesperson said.