BJP links Rahul with Soros, Cong hits back

A political controversy erupted on Thursday after one Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker attempted to link billionaire George Soros with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and another called him a "traitor", triggering protests from the Congress.

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The opposition demanded an apology and forced adjournment in the House after BJP lawmaker Nishikant Dubey sought to know if Gandhi had connections with forces trying to "derail" India's growth trajectory.

In the Rajya Sabha, BJP member Sudhanshu Trivedi alleged that there was a concerted effort by "foreign hands" to derail the Viksit Bharat (developed India) agenda.

In the morning, Congress leaders wore stickers alleging a nexus between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Adani Group inside and outside the House. Gandhi too, put a sticker on his T-shirt saying "Modi, Adani Ek Hain (Modi, Adani are the same)". An irked Speaker Om Birla reminded the Congress MPs that only the Tricolour can be added to their attire.

Dubey attempted to turn the tables on the Congress. In his Zero Hour intervention, he levelled a slew of allegations saying the Congress was working with the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a global journalism project backed by Soros's Open Society Foundation, and was trying to disrupt Parliament and derail the government. He also asked 10 questions to Gandhi.

Separately, BJP Lok Sabha MP Sambit Patra alleged that Gandhi was part of a "triangle" with Soros and OCCRP aimed at destabilising India. "We are going to talk about this dangerous triangle which is trying to destabilise India. In this triangle, on one side is George Soros from America, some agencies of America; on the other side of the triangle is a big news portal named OCCRP... the last and the most important side of the triangle is Rahul Gandhi, a traitor of the highest order. I am not scared to say this word... I don't have any hesitation to call the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha a traitor," he said.

The comments sparked a furious response from the Congress, as the party's lawmakers came down to the well of the House, shouting slogans and demanding an apology from Dubey.