New Delhi: The BJP on Thursday launched a scathing counterattack on Congress, responding to its persistent allegations of the government in Parliament and other platforms over the indictment of Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani by US prosecutors in an alleged bribery case. BJP MP Sambit Patra accused Congress MP Rahul Gandhi of acting at the behest of US billionaire George Soros.

Highlighting the alleged nexus, Patrsa said “George Soros and Rahul Gandhi are one,” and added that Gandhi was a traitor promoting Soros's "anti-national agenda to destabilise India."

"If OCCRP is affected, Rahul Gandhi cries. If Rahul Gandhi cries, OCCRP gets hurt. They are two bodies but with one soul. George Soros and Rahul Gandhi are one. Whatever Soros wants to fulfill his agenda, Rahul Gandhi does the same. Both want to harm the country's interests," Patra said in a press conference.

He claimed that there was a "dangerous triangular nexus" which was trying to destabilise India, naming George Soros, OCCRP and Rahul Gandhi.

The BJP’s attack came in the wake of a report by French publication “Mediapart”, which alleged "hidden links between a giant of investigative journalism (referring to the OCCRP, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, an Amsterdam-based news network) and the US government."

“Mediapart” claimed that the OCCRP, which describes itself as "the largest investigative reporting organization on Earth," is financially and structurally reliant on the United States.

The report also stated that the OCCRP receives huge funding from European nations, including France and Sweden.

George Soros is seen as a controversial figure across the world. While Soros positions himself as a champion of democracy and open societies through his philanthropic efforts via the Open Society Foundations, his financial activities have often sparked criticism for the very opposite.

Critics also accuse Soros of promoting immigration policies to destabilize countries and of financial speculations that allegedly hurt national economies, such as his infamous bet against the British pound in 1992, which earned him the moniker "the man who broke the Bank of England."

These controversies have fuelled numerous conspiracy theories, often amplifying political divisions. In 1999, economist Paul Krugman was critical of Soros's effect on financial markets:

In India, he has been accused of financing activities against the country’s interest and backing regime changes globally to advance Western interests.

In recent months, the BJP has repeatedly associated the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi with Soros, as well as with criticisms of the Modi government. These include controversies surrounding the Pegasus spyware scandal and the Covaxin COVID-19 vaccine, both stemming from reports by the OCCRP.

"A triangular nexus has emerged, comprising George Soros and his foundation in the US, along with certain American agencies. The other vertex of this triangle is a prominent news portal, OCCRP. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, traitor of the highest order, represents the third angle of this triangle." he said.

The BJP has repeatedly linked George Soros with the Congress, highlighting the US billionaire's outspoken criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Patra alleged that some forces aimed to disrupt India's unity and hinder its progress. He also declared that he had no hesitation in labelling Rahul Gandhi a "traitor."

"I am not scared to say this word. I don't have any hesitation to call the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha a traitor," the BJP leader said.

"OCCRP is a global media agency, crores of people read what they publish. Open Society Foundation is a big funder of this agency. It is George Soros's foundation. Such agencies work for the interest of the people who fund them. Rahul Gandhi is betraying the whole country. OCCRP dictates and Rahul Gandhi follows," he alleged.

He further alleged that people and groups who possess anti-Indian sentiments "loved" Rahul Gandhi.

"It's notable that Rahul Gandhi consistently finds himself at the forefront of issues that compromise national interests. Moreover, he attracts admiration from individuals and groups that have anti-India sentiments. All anti-Indians and all those who hate India love Rahul Gandhi," the BJP leader said.

"This raises questions about OCCRP's independence, as 70 per cent of its funding comes from a single source. Consequently, OCCRP truly appears to align with the interests of George Soros and the deep state in America," he said.

Last month, a New York court indicted Gautam Adani and his nephew for allegedly offering Rs 2,029 crore in bribes to state government officials in India to secure solar power contracts between 2020 and 2024.

The Adani Group and former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi have argued that the industrialist was not mentioned in the key bribery or obstruction of justice charges in the indictment.