The BJP on Sunday accused former Congress president Sonia Gandhi of having links to an organisation funded by George Soros’ foundation, which has supported the idea of Kashmir’s independence. The ruling party claimed this association highlights foreign influence in India’s domestic affairs.
In a series of posts on X, BJP leaders said the connection between Gandhi and the Soros-backed group shows an attempt to destabilize India. They also alleged that Sonia Gandhi’s role as co-president of the Forum of Democratic Leaders in Asia Pacific (FDL-AP) Foundation connects her to this organization. The FDL-AP Foundation has reportedly supported the idea of treating Kashmir as a separate entity.
Despite the US dismissing these allegations, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey vowed to pose ten questions to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha, calling for clarification on the issue. Dubey also linked the media outlet OCCRP to the opposition, claiming it was part of a plot to damage India’s economy and tarnish Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
The BJP further alleged that the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, under Sonia Gandhi’s leadership, collaborated with Soros’ foundation, claiming this partnership highlights the influence of foreign funding on Indian organisations. Additionally, the BJP pointed to Rahul Gandhi’s press conference on the Adani issue, which was broadcast by OCCRP, as evidence of their alleged ties with foreign entities.
The BJP also cited Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s public acknowledgment of George Soros as an “old friend,” reinforcing their claims of a deep connection between Soros, the Congress Party, and anti-Modi forces. These accusations followed a previous BJP claim that a “deep state” in the US colluded with OCCRP and opposition leaders to damage India’s reputation.
The US government rejected the BJP’s accusations, calling them “disappointing” and asserting that the US has always championed media freedom. However, BJP MP Dubey dismissed the US embassy’s response, emphasizing that the US government funds OCCRP and indirectly supports Soros’ foundation. He accused OCCRP and Soros of attempting to damage India’s economy and defame the Modi government in partnership with opposition leaders.
