Sam Pitroda calls foreign funding claims bogus, BJP takes 'George Soros' swipe

Indian Overseas Congress chairman Sam Pitroda rejected BJP allegations of foreign funding and defended Rahul Gandhi's foreign engagements. BJP leaders countered with a George Soros swipe and accusations involving the Election Commission.Indian Overseas Congress chairman Sam Pitroda rejected BJP allegations of foreign funding and defended Rahul Gandhi's foreign engagements. New Delhi,Nov 11, 2026 14:14 ISTIndian Overseas Congress chairman Sam Pitroda has dismissed claims of foreign funding and overseas interference in the Congress and the opposition INDIA bloc as "bogus", accusing the BJP of manufacturing controversy every time Rahul Gandhi travels abroad. The BJP hit back with a George Soros swipe, accusing the Congress of deliberately creating an issue around foreign influence as part of a new tactic.Speaking to news agency ANI, Pitroda rejected the BJP's allegations of foreign interference in the opposition's activities, calling the 'foreign hand' theory a worn-out political bogey. He maintained that the INDIA bloc drew its strength from Indian voters and did not need external support to challenge the ruling party." The so-called 'foreign hand' theory is a worn-out political bogey that ruling regimes rely on whenever they run out of substantive answers to domestic crises," Pitroda said, adding that the opposition alliance did not take directions from foreign entities.#WATCH | Chicago, US | On Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi's debate challenge to PM Modi, Indian Overseas Congress Chairman Sam Pitroda says, "Rahul Gandhi has been personally attacked with thousands of crores of investment in media... Even if you are his opposition, you have to respect that the man is standing up with pride. Two, he has the courage to speak up... He may make one or two mistakes, as all of us do. So what? But he is standing for the right cause... He is articulating the needs of the young. He is worried about OBC, Dalits, minorities, tribals, poor people. He is concerned about inequality in India and concentration of wealth... Look at the air in Delhi. For the last 15 years, we have been talking about this. As soon as you say that, somebody will say, 'But what happened in the Congress era?' That is not the issue. The issue is what is happening today. Do not talk about the air in 1947... The environmental situation in Delhi has been pretty bad for the last maybe 15 to 20 years... Can we collectively come together and solve the problem?... A classic example is these exams. What have you done on the exams in 90 days? Have you provided a solution to younger people?..."— ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2026He said the alliance's legitimacy came from Indian voters, particularly farmers, young people, Dalits, backward classes and minorities who, according to him, had mobilised to safeguard the Constitution during the recent Lok Sabha elections. Pitroda also accused the BJP of targeting Rahul Gandhi every time he travelled overseas, alleging that the party's communication machinery launched campaigns against the Congress leader to manufacture outrage.He said Gandhi's overseas engagements involved interactions with the Indian diaspora, academics, policymakers and innovators on issues such as the global economy, Artificial Intelligence and democratic governance. "Rahul Gandhi does not travel abroad to seek foreign intervention or disparage his homeland," Pitroda said, arguing that discussing the state of Indian democracy overseas could not be equated with treason.PITRODA BACKS RAHUL GANDHI'S DEBATE CHALLENGE TO PMBacking Rahul Gandhi's challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an open, unscripted debate, Pitroda said the Congress leader had been subjected to sustained personal attacks despite raising issues concerning different sections of society.He said Gandhi was speaking about the concerns of young people, OBCs, Dalits, minorities, tribals and economically disadvantaged communities, besides highlighting inequality and the concentration of wealth."Even if you are his opposition, you have to respect that the man is standing up with pride. Two, he has the courage to speak up... He may make one or two mistakes, as all of us do. So what? But he is standing for the right cause," Pitroda said.Questioning why Modi had not accepted Gandhi's debate challenge, he said the two leaders should discuss issues including the economy, unemployment, caste census, farmers' demand for a legal guarantee on minimum support price (MSP) and border security.Pitroda also criticised the handling of competitive examinations and raised concerns over Delhi's air pollution, arguing that the focus should be on addressing present-day problems rather than repeatedly invoking the Congress's past record.BJP'S GEORGE SOROS SWIPETaking a swipe at Pitroda, BJP leader RP Singh accused him of echoing billionaire investor George Soros, alleging that the Congress leader was raising the same issue of foreign funding and influence."Sam Pitroda is speaking the language of George Soros. A few days ago, he said that George Soros had talked about spending $10 billion on India. So, he is bringing up the same thing," he told news agency ANI."Is there such an issue anywhere in the country? Knowingly declaring an issue, making it one, is a new tactic of Congress. And there is foreign funding involved in it," Singh added.On his part, BJP leader Ram Kadam accused Pitroda of attempting to discredit a constitutional institution."This is the same Sam Pitroda who is a favourite of the Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi family, and who has served as their advisor," Kadam said.#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra | On Indian Overseas Congress Chairman Sam Pitroda's remarks, BJP leader Ram Kadam says, "This is the same Sam Pitroda who is a favourite of the Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi family, and who has served as their advisor... From foreign soil, without a shred of evidence or any basis, he seeks to defame a constitutional institution. This is a calculated conspiracy. Just as a table rests on its four legs, the Election Commission serves as one of the pillars of our Constitution. They want to undermine it; they want to break it... If there is evidence, we are ready to engage..."— ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2026Accusing Pitroda of making allegations from foreign soil without evidence, Kadam described his remarks as a calculated attempt to undermine the Election Commission of India.He said the Election Commission was one of the pillars of the Constitution and accused the opposition of attempting to weaken the institution."If there is evidence, we are ready to engage," Kadam said.- Ends