BJP Alleges US Govt., George Soros, Rahul Gandhi Are Attempting to Destabilise India
The Party Claims This is Being Done Through a US-Funded Group’s Investigative Reports
December 8, 2024
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has claimed that the U.S. government, billionaire investor George Soros and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi are conspiring to destabilise India. The party alleged that the investigative media platform Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) plays a central role in this purported effort, while not questioning the factual basis of the investigative reports.
During a recent press conference in New Delhi, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra accused Gandhi of colluding with foreign forces, including the U.S. State Department, to harm India’s interests. “I have no hesitation in saying he is a traitor of the highest order,” Patra declared, as reported by Reuters.
The allegations come days after the indictment of Gautam Adani in the United States for alleged bribery and fraud. The charges against the Adani Group include accusations of substantial bribes to secure solar power contracts, which the conglomerate has denied.
According to the BJP, OCCRP’s operations are allegedly funded by foundations linked to Soros, and Gandhi is purportedly connected to the platform through figures such as Salil Shetty, vice president at one of Soros’ foundations. A photograph shared by the BJP shows Gandhi walking with Shetty, which the party claims substantiates its allegations.
Patra further alleged that Gandhi had meetings with Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, a Bangladeshi journalist associated with OCCRP, and Anand Mangnale, who BJP claims has ties to individuals implicated in the Delhi riots.
BJP leaders also cited a report from French media outlet Mediapart, alleging U.S. government influence over OCCRP’s operations, thereby questioning the platform’s independence, said the newswire.
Founded in 2007 by social entrepreneur Drew Sullivan and investigative journalist Paul Radu, Amsterdam, Netherlands-based OCCRP operates globally in partnership with media outlets to expose corruption and promote accountability.
OCCRP says its extensive network of journalists has upheld public interest reporting standards. The organisation says its mission is “to spread and strengthen investigative journalism around the world and expose crime and corruption so the public can hold power to account.”
Reuters noted, “OCCRP’s articles have also accused state-sponsored hackers in India of using Israeli-made Pegasus spyware to target government critics,” which the Indian government has denied.
In their attacks, BJP leaders linked Gandhi’s actions to recent OCCRP reports on Pegasus surveillance and allegations against industrialist Gautam Adani, the chairman of Adani Group, accusing him of leveraging these reports to disrupt parliamentary sessions. “OCCRP set the agenda, and Rahul complied,” Patra claimed.
BJP’s said on social media that the Congress party reacted only after OCCRP’s publication of articles critical of the government. “This news had already been reported in June, but Congress reacted only after OCCRP’s article,” one BJP post stated. Patra also accused OCCRP of defending Gandhi, pointing to its characterisation of legal proceedings against him in the National Herald case as politically motivated, which BJP dismissed as an attempt to shield Gandhi from scrutiny.
Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal responded to the allegations, stating, “From the day Rahul Gandhi stood against the corruption of Adani, agents of Adani started to abuse Rahul Gandhi. Come what may, Rahul Gandhi would keep raising these allegations,” as reported by The Telegraph.
Gandhi told reporters outside Parliament that Prime Minister Modi was incapable of initiating an investigation against Adani because it would effectively mean investigating himself, according to The Telegraph.
Responding to the allegations, OCCRP also issued a statement rejecting the claims as baseless. The platform stressed its transparency and editorial independence, noting that its funding sources are publicly disclosed through audits, annual reports and U.S. nonprofit filings. The organisation also reinforced its contributions to uncovering corruption globally, noting that its work has led to the recovery of over $10 billion in misappropriated funds.
The American Embassy in New Delhi also responded on Saturday, as reported by The Indian Express, “The U.S. government works with independent organisations on programming that supports professional development and capacity building training for journalists. This programming does not influence the editorial decisions or direction of these organisations… The United States has long been a champion of media freedom around the world. A free and independent press is an essential component of any democracy, enabling informed and constructive debate and holding those in power accountable.”
While OCCRP’s coverage predominantly targets Russia, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan and Europe, the organisation has also reported on India since July 2018. Their latest story, published on Nov. 21, 2024, is titled “Kenya Nixes Deals with India’s Adani Group, Citing Corruption Evidence.”
