Parliament Erupts: BJP Accuses Rahul Gandhi of ‘Destabilising India,’ Congress Hits Back Strongly

A heated exchange unfolded in Parliament on Thursday as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress sparred over accusations against Rahul Gandhi. BJP leaders labeled Mr. Gandhi a “traitor of the highest order” while alleging ties with international entities, including billionaire George Soros and investigative journalism network OCCRP.

The Congress, in turn, condemned the accusations, leading to a stormy session.

Accusations and Chaos in Parliament

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey accused Rahul Gandhi of aligning with foreign forces, including Soros and the OCCRP, to destabilize India.

Dubey claimed these alleged conspiracies stemmed from the Congress’s animosity toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His remarks led to uproar in the Lok Sabha, causing a temporary adjournment, while similar disruptions followed in the Rajya Sabha after BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi echoed these claims.

At the center of the allegations was a report by French publication Mediapart, which claimed the OCCRP had undisclosed links with the US government and other Western entities.

The BJP highlighted this as evidence of foreign interference in Indian affairs.

The Role of OCCRP and George Soros

The BJP linked Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the government to reports by OCCRP, which is partly funded by George Soros’s Open Society Foundations.

BJP MP Sambit Patra referred to a “dangerous triangle” comprising Soros, OCCRP, and Rahul Gandhi. Patra accused Gandhi of betraying national interests by allegedly following directives from the OCCRP.

OCCRP reports on sensitive issues such as Pegasus spyware and Covaxin were cited by BJP leaders as part of this purported conspiracy.

However, doubts regarding Covaxin were dismissed by the World Health Organization, and an Indian technical committee found no conclusive evidence to support the Pegasus allegations.

Congress Responds to the Accusations

Congress leaders strongly rebutted the claims. Senior leader KC Venugopal criticized Dubey’s remarks, calling them derogatory and defamatory.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor further denounced Dubey for violating parliamentary protocols by naming Rahul Gandhi without prior notice.

Tharoor argued that Dubey’s statements were defamatory and breached parliamentary privilege. “This is a waste of parliamentary time and taxpayer money,” he said, demanding an apology and the expungement of Dubey’s remarks from the record.

George Soros and His Alleged Role

Soros, a Hungarian-American billionaire, is a polarizing figure in Indian politics.

Known for his philanthropic ventures through the Open Society Foundations, Soros has supported various global initiatives, including democracy and human rights.

However, BJP leaders have accused him of funding anti-India activities and destabilizing governments.

Soros’s foundations have supported projects in India since 1999, including investments in education, healthcare, and agriculture. Despite these contributions, his association with the OCCRP has made him a target of criticism from the BJP.

What is OCCRP?

The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) is a global network of investigative journalists. Established in 2007, it focuses on uncovering corruption and organized crime.

Funded by institutions such as the Open Society Foundations and other international organizations, the OCCRP has faced allegations of bias and hidden affiliations.

Mediapart’s report claimed the OCCRP is influenced by its funders, including the US government and Soros. However, the OCCRP has dismissed these claims, asserting that its editorial processes ensure independence and transparency.

BJP’s Continuing Criticism of Rahul Gandhi

The BJP has repeatedly accused Rahul Gandhi of colluding with foreign entities to undermine India.

MP Nishikant Dubey alleged that Gandhi conspired with anti-India forces during his foreign visits, meeting American lawmakers critical of India. Dubey demanded an investigation into these meetings and their implications.

This marks another instance of the BJP questioning Gandhi’s loyalty to India, a recurring theme in their political attacks.