Union Minister Kiren Rijiju today claimed that alleged links between Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and Hungarian-American businessman George Soros are a “serious” concern. Mr Rijiju said such matters should not be viewed through a “political lens” and urged a united front against “anti-India forces”.
“It is an important issue that I want to raise without being political about it. The ties between Sonia Gandhi and George Sores are serious. We don't want to see it by putting a political spin on it,” he said.
The BJP has alleged that Sonia Gandhi has links with organizations funded by George Soros' foundation. The ruling party claims that these entities have supported controversial positions such as treating Kashmir as a separate entity.
The BJP alleged that Sonia Gandhi's past role as co-chairman of the Forum of Democratic Leaders in Asia Pacific (FDL-AP) Foundation, who reportedly shared views in favor of Kashmir's independence, is worrying. Additionally, the party pointed to partnerships between the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and Soros-affiliated organizations as evidence of foreign influence in domestic affairs.
“We want to lead parliament. I want to make it clear that some issues are politically driven, but if powers outside India try to defy India and fight against India, then there are serious concerns,” Mr. Rijiju said.
Mr. Rijiju dismissed any intention to interfere in Congress's internal politics, but noted that questions are being raised within the INDIA alliance over Rahul Gandhi's leadership.
“If Rahul Gandhi is not able to lead the INDIA bloc, then it is their internal matter but we have heard that they are not on the same page,” he alleged.
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey yesterday announced plans to confront Congress MP Rahul Gandhi in Parliament with ten questions about these alleged links. Dubey accused Soros and the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) of working with opposition leaders to damage the Indian economy and discredit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
The BJP raised the issue in Parliament today, but Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar said there will not be any discussion on it.
“I have received eleven notices under Article 267. I have decided not to admit them. Notices have been issued to raise the issue of increasing threat to national security due to alleged nexus between a political party and some international organizations working against India.” said Mr Dhankar.
Opposition response
Opposition leaders have rejected the BJP's allegations. Congress MP Karti Chidambaram dismissed the BJP's allegations, calling them 'dark fantasies' that should be confined to the 'dark web'.
“These deep state theories should be confined to the dark web and not serious political discourse,” Chidambaram told NDTV. “People have dark, morbid fantasies and they can continue to have them, and all these conspiracy theories will no longer be believed. “We always stand for the sovereignty and unity of India. We are patriots, we are nationalists and we will not do anything that is against the integrity of India.”
Dismissing the allegations as a routine tactic of the BJP, Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav said, “It has become a habit of the BJP to level false allegations. None of their allegations have been proven true till date.”
RJD MP Manoj Jha said that instead of looking into conspiracy theories, the BJP should look into the allegations.
“When the government and its top leaders started delving into conspiracy theories, it means there is something they want to hide. You are in the government, have things investigated,” he said.
OCCRP and US involvement
The BJP's allegations have also drawn attention to the OCCRP, an investigative journalism platform partly funded by George Soros' foundation. The party claims that the OCCRP is involved in spreading reports aimed at destabilizing India, such as allegations against the Adani Group.
“Rahul Gandhi's press conference on Adani was broadcast live by the George Soros-funded OCCRP, which Gandhi used as a source to criticize Adani. It shows nothing but their strong and dangerous relationship and highlights their attempts to derail the Indian economy. Congressman Shashi Tharoor has publicly acknowledged George Soros as an “old friend.” It is truly remarkable,” the BJP claimed.
The US government has rejected the BJP's allegations, with a US embassy spokesperson describing them as “disappointing”, news agency PTI reported. The spokesperson clarified that U.S. funding supports independent journalism but does not influence editorial decisions. However, BJP leaders insist that the US 'deep state' and Soros-funded organizations are colluding with the opposition to weaken India's economic and political stability.
