BJP accuses Rahul Gandhi of being part of a Global Progressive Alliance allegedly aiming to tarnish India’s image, questions his Germany visit, foreign links, and association with George Soros-backed institutions, demanding a probe into his international activities.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of being part of a global alliance allegedly working to damage India’s international image. The ruling party questioned the intent and implications of Gandhi’s participation in meetings of the Global Progressive Alliance during his recent visit to Germany.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, party National Spokesman Sudhanshu Trivedi described the Global Progressive Alliance as a controversial international network that, according to him, operates against India’s national interests. Trivedi alleged that the alliance has ideological and operational links with American billionaire philanthropist George Soros, whose organizations have often been accused by the BJP of interfering in the internal political affairs of sovereign nations.
Trivedi demanded a thorough investigation into Rahul Gandhi’s foreign engagements and international associations, asserting that repeated overseas statements by the Congress leader have raised serious concerns about whether an “international narrative” is being deliberately constructed against India.
“During the same visit to Germany, Rahul Gandhi met Cornelia Woll, who is part of the praesidium of the Central European University. This institution is funded by George Soros’s Open Society Foundation,” Trivedi claimed, adding that such meetings cannot be viewed as coincidental.
The BJP spokesperson further cited remarks made by senior Congress leader Sam Pitroda, claiming they reveal direct links between the Congress leadership and the Global Progressive Alliance. According to Trivedi, Pitroda himself acknowledged that Rahul Gandhi is a member of the alliance’s praesidium, while Pitroda serves as one of its members.
“This clearly establishes that Rahul Gandhi is not just associated with the Global Progressive Alliance but holds a leadership position within it,” Trivedi said. “Sam Pitroda being a member further strengthens the ideological and organizational link between the Congress party and this global grouping.”
Raising questions about the credibility of the alliance, Trivedi challenged the Congress party’s claim that the Global Progressive Alliance represents democratic forces from 110 countries. He argued that a significant number of these countries do not meet basic democratic standards.
“There are approximately 57 Muslim-majority countries where democracy is either absent or inconsistent. Many of these nations function as theocratic states or fragile democracies. Additionally, nearly 30 to 40 countries around the world are monarchies, and several others are governed by dictatorial regimes,” Trivedi said. “In such a scenario, how can this alliance claim to represent a global democratic front?”
The BJP spokesperson went on to ask whether Rahul Gandhi is deliberately promoting a negative portrayal of India on international platforms. “Is Rahul Gandhi running an international campaign to defame India?” he asked, adding that the Congress leader’s frequent foreign visits and critical remarks about India abroad have become a pattern.
Trivedi also targeted Sam Pitroda, describing him as a long-time ideological advisor to the Gandhi family. “Sam Pitroda has been associated with the Gandhi family since the time of Rajiv Gandhi. His influence on Rahul Gandhi’s political thinking is well known,” he said, alleging that the same ideological framework now appears to be shaping Gandhi’s global engagements.
According to the BJP, Gandhi’s meeting in Germany with Cornelia Woll, a professor at the Berlin-based Hertie School, is particularly concerning. Trivedi alleged that Woll has been associated with academic and political circles that have consistently criticized India’s policies on global forums.
The BJP maintained that while international engagement is a normal part of political diplomacy, raising issues about India’s internal matters on foreign soil crosses a red line. “Opposition leaders have every right to criticize the government within the country. But when such criticism is carried to international platforms with questionable affiliations, it raises serious concerns about intent and national interest,” Trivedi said.
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The Congress party, as of Saturday evening, had not issued an official response to the BJP’s allegations. However, party leaders in the past have defended Rahul Gandhi’s international engagements, arguing that speaking about democratic values and social justice on global platforms is part of responsible political leadership.
The issue is likely to intensify political tensions ahead of upcoming parliamentary sessions, with the BJP signaling that it may push for greater scrutiny of opposition leaders’ foreign links. As political discourse becomes increasingly global, the controversy highlights the growing friction between national narratives and international political networks in India’s domestic politics.
