New Delhi, November 11: Indian Overseas Congress chairman Sam Pitroda has rejected allegations of foreign funding and overseas interference in the Congress and the INDIA bloc, describing the claims as baseless. He accused the BJP of repeatedly creating controversy around Rahul Gandhi's foreign visits.
Speaking to ANI, Pitroda said the INDIA bloc derived its strength from Indian voters and did not depend on foreign entities for support or direction.
He said Rahul Gandhi's overseas engagements involved interactions with the Indian diaspora, academics, policymakers and innovators on issues including the global economy, artificial intelligence and democratic governance. Pitroda maintained that discussing the state of Indian democracy abroad could not be equated with acting against the country.
Pitroda also backed Rahul Gandhi's challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an open and unscripted debate. He suggested that the two leaders discuss issues such as the economy, unemployment, caste census, a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) for farmers and border security.
BJP Leaders Target Pitroda
Reacting to Pitroda's remarks, BJP leader RP Singh accused him of echoing billionaire investor George Soros. Singh alleged that the Congress was deliberately creating an issue around foreign influence and funding.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Ram Kadam accused Pitroda of attempting to undermine the credibility of the Election Commission of India through remarks made from foreign soil without evidence.
Kadam described the Election Commission as a constitutional institution and alleged that the opposition was attempting to weaken its credibility.
The exchange has added to the ongoing political confrontation between the BJP and Congress over allegations of foreign influence, Rahul Gandhi's overseas engagements and the role of constitutional institutions.
