'George Soros' Agent': Congress Digs Up Smriti Irani's USAID Connection, BJP Clarifies

Last Updated:February 18, 2025, 17:08 IST

Congress leaders alleged that BJP leader Smriti Irani was an agent of billionaire investor George Soros

Congress alleged that BJP leader Smriti Irani is an agent of billionaire investor George Soros. (Source: PTI)

Days after BJP raised questions over the funding of USAID (United States Agency for Development and alleged that anti-India elements funded it, Congress leaders slammed BJP leader Smriti Irani’s connection with USAID.

Congress leader Priyank Kharge on Tuesday shared a screenshot of the BJP leader’s profile on which was uploaded on the Ministry Of Minority Affairs and underlined the fact that she had earlier served as the USAID “Goodwill Ambassador" to India.

“Interesting. According to the Government’s official website, Ms. Smriti Irani’s bio states that she has served as the USAID “Goodwill Ambassador" to India. Does this imply that BJP politicians are the real agents of George Soros?" Kharge wrote on X.

Reacting to Kharge’s Post, Congress leader Pawan Khera said, “This is brilliant. We finally have the answer to BJP’s favourite question – Rasode Mein Kaun Tha? (Who was in the kitchen?) The actual agent of George Soros turns out to be @smritiirani."

BJP Clarifies Irani’s USAID Connection

Retorting back to the allegations levied against BJP leader Smriti Irani by Congress, BJP IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya said that Irani was appointed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) Goodwill Brand Ambassador from 2002 to 2005 because of her immense popularity as an actress.

He emphasised that the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) had endorsed Iran’s campaign and Sheila Dikshit was Delhi’s chief minister at that time.

“The World Health Organisation (WHO) appointed Smriti Irani as the Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) Goodwill Brand Ambassador from 2002 to 2005. At the time, she was a household name due to the immense popularity of the television serial Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi," Malviya said.

The WHO campaign featuring Smriti Irani was endorsed by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), among others, which permitted promotional material to be displayed on its buses. Sheila Dikshit was the Chief Minister of Delhi then, and Pawan Khera served as her personal assistant, handling trivial tasks like carrying her chappals and suitcase. Matters of actual significance, such as this campaign, were likely above his pay grade at the time," he added.

BJP Raises Question Over USAID Funding, Alleges Congress-Soros Link

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had alleged that anti-India elements which were aligned with Congress were funding USAID and demanded an investigation into it.

“Did USAID provide Rs 5,000 crore to Open Society Foundation run by George Soros to destabilise India? Did USAID and George Soros Foundation give money to Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust or not? I demand that Congress should answer and a govt probe be conducted," Dubey had said during the Zero Hour in Lok Sabha.

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