Designs to weaken our democracy will be met with might of India: Irani slams George Soros

Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Irani has come down heavily on billionaire investor George Soros for his controversial comments on India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"The man who broke bank of England and is designated by nation an economic war criminal has now pronounced his desire to break Indian democracy. George Soros an international entrepreneur has declared his ill-intention to intervene in democratic processes of India," Irani said at a press conference at the BJP's Delhi headquarters.

The minister said that Those who Soros finds pliable need to know that India has defeated imperialistic design before and shall do again. "Democracy has prevailed in India and will continue to do so. Designs to weaken Indian democracy will be met with might of India under leadership of PM Modi," she added.

She then accused Soros of trying to "demolish Indian democracy." "The pronouncements made by George Soros need to be understood. He makes such pronouncements to demolish Indian democracy so that his handpicked people run the govt in the country," Irani stated.

What Soros Said?

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Thursday, the 92-year-old billionaire said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be weakened by the stock woes of business tycoon and alleged close ally Gautam Adani, "opening the door" to a democratic revival in the country. "Adani Enterprises tried to raise funds in the stock market, but he failed. Adani is accused of stock manipulation and his stock collapsed like a house of cards. Modi is silent on the subject, but he will have to answer questions from foreign investors and in parliament," NDTV quoted Soros as saying.

Adani Group stocks have taken a beating on the bourses after the Hindenburg Research made a litany of allegations, including those of fraudulent transactions and share price manipulation, against the business conglomerate.

The opposition has come down heavily on the government and targeted PM Modi in the budget session of the Parliament.

How Congress has reacted to Soros' Comments?

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has responded to Soros' comments saying that such remarks will not determine the electoral outcomes. "Whether the PM-linked Adani scam sparks a democratic revival in India depends entirely on the Congress, Opposition parties & our electoral process. It has NOTHING to do with George Soros. Our Nehruvian legacy ensures people like Soros cannot determine our electoral outcomes," he tweeted.