BJP slams Congress’ Bharat Summit, calls it ‘anti-Bharat’ event

Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress’s Bharat Summit being held at HITEX, describing it as an ‘Anti-Bharat Summit’ and alleging that it was backed by forces working against India’s interests.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP state office, Mr. Rao claimed that what was initially projected as a platform to attract investment to Telangana had, in reality, turned into a ‘conspiratorial gathering’ involving foreign entities. He alleged that recent remarks and social media posts by senior Congress leaders, including Salman Khurshid and Sam Pitroda, had exposed the summit’s alleged links with international groups opposed to the country’s interests.

The BJP leader accused the Congress of attempting to use support from these foreign organisations to create ‘unrest and instability’ with the objective of ‘weakening the government before the 2029 general elections’. He further alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was being projected internationally through delegates from over 100 countries attending the summit.

Citing reports carried by the Fox News network, Mr. Rao alleged that a network operating under the banner of a ‘Progressive Alliance’ was backed by forces seeking to undermine democratic governments. A number of organisations associated with this network were active across several countries and were using students and social movements to further their agenda.

Mr. Rao further alleged that similar forces had played a role in political upheavals in countries such as France, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. He demanded that the funding sources of such organisations and the individuals allegedly responsible for financing protests and violence in those countries be made public.

The BJP leader also claimed that Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge had held meetings with representatives of ‘Progressive International’, supported by ‘anti-India elements’, including financier George Soros. Representatives from dozens of countries attending the summit intended to use Hyderabad as a base for spreading unrest across India, he further alleged.

Mr. Rao also questioned the Telangana government’s expenditure on similar events in the past, alleging that nearly ₹29 crore of public funds had been spent on an earlier summit. Warning against any attempts to promote violence or instability, he said such efforts would not be tolerated.

The party chief said the Gandhis cannot visit Telangana till the Congress government fulfils its electoral promises, including the six guarantees announced before the Assembly elections. He sought a White Paper on the alleged sale of government lands and the utilisation of ₹30,000 crore funds raised through such transactions, while expressing concern over reported plans to dispose of land at Miyapur.