NEW DELHI: Escalating its charge of a “nexus” between Congress and billionaire George Soros, BJP on Sunday turned the focus on former party president Sonia Gandhi and said she had links to an organisation that had advocated Kashmir as a “separate entity”.
The party accused Sonia of being in collusion with the 94-year-old currency speculator and hedge fund operator, and claimed that they shared a mutual objective of diminishing India’s growth. “Sonia Gandhi, as the co-president of Forum of Democratic Leaders in Asia Pacific (FDL-AP) Foundation, is linked to an organisation financed by the George Soros Foundation. Notably, FDL-AP Foundation has expressed their views that treat Kashmir as a separate entity,” BJP posted on X.
Sonia Gandhi’s chairmanship of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation led to a partnership with the George Soros Foundation, displaying the influence of foreign funding on Indian organisations,” BJP further alleged. It also pointed to the involvement of Salil Shetty, vice-president of the Soros-funded Open Society Foundations, in the Congress-led ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’, where he was seen alongside Rahul Gandhi.
BJP accused Rahul of leveraging the Soros-funded Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) for his press conference on the Adani Group, claiming, “It shows nothing but their strong and dangerous relationship and highlights their attempts to derail the Indian economy.” The party further noted a common stance between Soros and Rahul on the Adani issue, with both suggesting that the Adani matter could lead to the Modi govt’s downfall.” Besides, BJP also shared posts highlighting Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s acknowledgement of Soros as an “old friend” to further strengthen its narrative of a deep-seated connection. Despite several attempts, a response from Congress could not be obtained.
BJP’s allegations are poised to spark intense debates when Parliament reconvenes on Monday, with party MP Nishikant Dubey declaring his intent to question Rahul.
Vowing to pose 10 questions, Dubey said, “I have repeatedly reviewed the statement from US embassy officials. They acknowledge that the US govt funds OCCRP, alongside Soros’s foundation. OCCRP and Soros are allegedly working to undermine India’s economy and tarnish the Modi govt’s reputation in collusion with opposition functionaries. After yesterday’s statement, I am compelled to ask my 10 questions in Lok Sabha to Rahul Gandhi. The opposition is attempting to silence me in Parliament. Under Lok Sabha Rule 357, I have the right to ask these questions. I am waiting for tomorrow.”
Dubey’s queries include whether Salil Shetty’s participation in the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ was funded by Soros, and whether Rahul met with US politicians linked to the Soros Foundation who advocate the division of India. He also plans to question the nature of past meetings between Soros and Congress figures, including historical connections like that of Fori Nehru, and the financial support Soros might have provided to the children of Congress functionaries under the guise of startups.