Rahul Hobnobbing With People Funded By George Soros: Smriti Irani

Union Minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his alleged links with George Soros, Hungarian-born American financier, and activist whose success as an investor made him one of the wealthiest men in the world.

She has also accused Gandhi of meeting people who are funded by Soros. "...The question that has been left unanswered by the Congress party is - Is it true that Rahul Gandhi met Sunita Vishwanath during his trip to the US?...When it is clear to every Indian what George Soros intends to do, why is Rahul Gandhi hobnobbing with those who are funded by Soros?" she questioned.

Indian-American activist Sunita Viswanath has worked in women's and human rights organizations and is the co-founder of the human rights organizations Women for Afghan Women, Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, and Hindus for Human Rights.

The BJP minister said it is also evident that this is not the only Soros connection. Even in 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' in Karnataka, the Global Vice President of the Open Society Foundation funded by George Soros was found accompanying Rahul Gandhi.

"What is extremely distressing is the link with the Islamic Circle of North America. Those in the public domain who will research how the registration process for NRI interaction with Rahul Gandhi in New York ensued will find contact of Tazeem Ansari - he has an organisational link with Jamaat-e-Islami," Irani, who had defeated Rahul in Amethi Lok Sabha seat, said.

Who is George Soros?
With a net worth of USD 8.5 billion, Soros is the founder of Open Society Foundations, which gives grants to groups and individuals that promote democracy, transparency and freedom of speech.

According to his website, "he has given away more than USD 32 billion of his personal fortune" to fund the Open Society Foundations' work around the world. He has been accused of using his wealth and influence to shape politics and funding regime change. In 2020, he pledged USD 1 billion to fund a new university network to tackle the spread of nationalism.

Earlier this year, he hit the headlines after attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Adani issue. Soros in his speech at the Munich Security Conference said the turmoil at Adani may open the door to a democratic revival in the country.