In a startling development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has directly accused the US State Department of orchestrating efforts to “destabilise India” and target Prime Minister Narendra Modi through what it described as a “deep state” agenda. The accusations were made during a press conference led by BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra, who alleged a coordinated effort involving US agencies, foreign-funded organisations, and opposition leaders in India.
“It has always been the US State Department behind this agenda,” Mr. Patra stated emphatically, pointing to an alleged nexus that he claimed seeks to undermine India’s growth story and discredit PM Modi’s leadership.
BJP Alleges a Nexus
Sambit Patra elaborated on the BJP’s allegations, asserting that elements within the US deep state have collaborated with opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and a select group of journalists. According to Mr. Patra, this coalition aims to derail India’s progress by propagating “unsubstantiated allegations” and “malicious reports” against the government and its policies.
Citing recent reports by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) that questioned the alleged close ties between the Adani Group and the government, Mr. Patra dismissed these claims as “baseless” and devoid of “a shred of evidence.” He further alleged that OCCRP’s reporting was part of a larger conspiracy funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and individuals like billionaire George Soros.
“A French investigative media group has revealed that 50% of OCCRP’s funding comes directly from the US State Department,” Mr. Patra claimed. He accused OCCRP of being a “media tool” used to further the deep state’s agenda against India. The BJP reiterated its stance that these entities, along with Rahul Gandhi, were deliberately targeting PM Modi to destabilize the country.
Rahul Gandhi and the “Dangerous Triangle”
In an aggressive tone, Mr. Patra went on to label Rahul Gandhi as a “traitor of the highest order,” accusing him of aligning with international forces that allegedly aim to weaken India. “Some agencies of America, along with George Soros, form a dangerous triangle trying to destabilize India,” he remarked.
This narrative was echoed in Parliament by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who accused the Congress party of “conspiring with foreign forces” out of animosity toward PM Modi. Mr. Dubey also called for an investigation into Rahul Gandhi’s foreign meetings, including those with George Soros and US lawmakers like Ilhan Omar, who have been vocal critics of the Modi administration.
“The Congress must answer… what transpired in meetings with those who have a history of peddling anti-India agendas on Rahul Gandhi’s foreign tours,” Mr. Dubey demanded.
Congress Demands Apology
The BJP’s accusations drew sharp reactions from the Congress party. Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor called the remarks “most unfortunate” and demanded an immediate apology. Mr. Tharoor also criticized Nishikant Dubey’s comments in Parliament, accusing him of violating parliamentary norms.
“No 1, you cannot attack people in a defamatory manner. No 2, you cannot take anyone’s name without giving them notice in writing in advance, and No 3, you cannot assault parliamentary privilege,” Mr. Tharoor argued.
The Congress approached the Speaker of the Lok Sabha to expunge Mr. Dubey’s remarks from the parliamentary record. “The person must apologize,” Mr. Tharoor insisted, adding that the incident was a breach of decorum and parliamentary procedure.
OCCRP and US State Department Respond
In response to the allegations, OCCRP acknowledged receiving some funding from the US government but categorically denied any editorial influence. “The US government, while providing some funding to OCCRP, has no say in our editorial processes and no control over our reporting,” the organization stated, according to a Reuters report.
As of now, the US State Department has not issued a response to the BJP’s accusations. The developments have sparked intense debate, both in Parliament and across public discourse, with opinions divided on the credibility and implications of the BJP’s claims.
Political Fallout and Global Implications
The BJP’s direct attack on the US State Department and its allegations of a deep state conspiracy have escalated political tensions in India. With the Congress party vehemently denying the charges and demanding accountability for the remarks, the controversy is likely to dominate political narratives in the coming days. As the international community watches closely, the fallout from these allegations may have broader implications for India’s domestic and foreign policy dynamics.