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Journalism of Courage
Hours after billionaire investor George Soros targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said the turmoil over the Adani Group crisis could open the “door to a democratic revival” in the country, BJP leader and Union Minister Smriti Irani hit back at Soros, saying he had “ill-intention to intervene in the democratic process of India and wanted a government that is pliable to his need”.
Warning that any attempt to weaken Indian democracy will be met with the might of the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, Irani told reporters Friday at the BJP headquarters: “The man who broke a bank in England, an economic offender, has said that his desire is to break Indian democracy. George Soros has announced his ill-intention to intervene in the democratic process of India… His statements have made it clear that Soros wants to pick a government which is in his interest.”
She said a “war” has been initiated to target India.
In a speech ahead of the Munich Security Conference, Soros said the turmoil over Gautam Adani’s business empire has shaken faith in India and threatened investor confidence and this could open the “door to a democratic revival” in the country.
Soros is the founder of the Open Society Foundations, which provides grants to groups and individuals who promote democracy, transparency and freedom of speech.
He said the Prime Minister will have “to answer questions” from foreign investors and Parliament on allegations against the Adani firms. “Modi and business tycoon Adani are close allies, their fate is intertwined,” he said.
Leading the BJP attack against Soros, Irani, without taking any name, said “you know better who he (Soros) is funding” and those who match his steps will stand exposed.
Alleging that Soros wants to attack the democratic process in India, Irani said the fact that he is “funding over a million dollars to target leaders like Prime Minister Modi” is “significant”.
She urged “society to denounce the intention of this individual who seeks to demonise our democracy, weaken it and bring onslaught to the economy of our country.”
