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Congress Accuses PMO Advisor of Undisclosed Business Ties

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  Published in Business and Finance on Wednesday, February 4th 2026 at 0:14 GMT by ThePrint
      Locales: Delhi, INDIA

New Delhi, February 4th, 2026 - The Indian political landscape is once again embroiled in controversy as the Indian National Congress today leveled serious accusations against Hiren Joshi, a senior advisor widely regarded as one of the most influential figures within the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The Congress party alleges that Joshi maintains undisclosed business connections to companies that have potentially benefited from government contracts, sparking a fierce debate about transparency, accountability, and potential conflicts of interest at the highest levels of governance.

The accusations, formally presented by Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala during a press conference this morning, center around Joshi's alleged links to multiple companies operating in key sectors, including infrastructure development and consulting services. While specifics remain largely within the realm of 'sourced' information at this stage, the Congress claims to possess evidence indicating a pattern of potentially improper relationships between Joshi and these entities. They are demanding an immediate, thorough, and impartial investigation to ascertain the veracity of their claims.

"The scale of these alleged connections is deeply concerning," Surjewala stated. "We are not simply talking about minor financial interests. These are substantial links to companies actively bidding on, and often securing, lucrative government contracts. If these allegations prove true, it constitutes a grave breach of trust and a blatant disregard for ethical conduct within the PMO."

The government, as of this writing, has remained silent on the matter. This silence is already being interpreted by opposition parties as an attempt to stonewall scrutiny and protect a key advisor. Analysts suggest the lack of an immediate response could further escalate the situation and damage the government's credibility.

Joshi: The Man Behind the Scenes

Hiren Joshi has served as an advisor in the PMO for several years, quietly accumulating significant influence. Sources within the government describe him as a gatekeeper, a key strategist, and someone who frequently has the Prime Minister's ear. His portfolio is broad, encompassing policy formulation, project oversight, and, crucially, interactions with various industry stakeholders. This position of power makes the current allegations particularly damaging, as it suggests potential undue influence peddling and preferential treatment.

A Pattern of PMO Scrutiny?

This is not an isolated incident. Over the past decade, several individuals associated with the PMO have faced scrutiny over allegations of corruption or unethical behavior. While not all accusations have been substantiated, the recurring nature of these controversies raises fundamental questions about oversight mechanisms within the PMO and the effectiveness of existing safeguards against conflicts of interest. Previous investigations, often hampered by a lack of cooperation from within the government, have yielded inconclusive results, fueling public cynicism.

The Infrastructure Sector Under the Microscope The Congress party specifically highlighted several infrastructure projects where companies allegedly connected to Joshi were awarded contracts. These projects include a major highway expansion initiative, a railway modernization program, and the development of a smart city project. The party alleges that these companies were favored in the bidding process, despite potentially offering less competitive bids than other contenders. Further compounding the issue, there are whispers of inflated contract values, suggesting possible collusion and misappropriation of public funds. Details are still emerging, but some reports indicate these companies also benefited from relaxed regulatory oversight.

Consulting Services and the Revolving Door The allegations also extend to the consulting services sector, with the Congress claiming that companies providing advisory services to the government - services Joshi allegedly influenced - were also linked to him through financial or familial ties. This raises concerns about the "revolving door" phenomenon, where individuals move between government positions and the private sector, potentially leveraging their insider knowledge for personal gain.

The Congress party has promised to release further details of their evidence in the coming days, including financial transactions and communication records. The pressure is now firmly on the government to respond and launch a credible investigation. The outcome of this inquiry could have significant implications for the government's standing, potentially triggering a broader debate about political ethics and the need for greater transparency in public life. Observers predict this scandal will dominate the political discourse for weeks to come, especially as regional elections are scheduled for later this year.