BJP calls Rahul Gandhi 'traitor' over alleged foreign interference links
Synopsis
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia called Rahul Gandhi a 'traitor' at a press conference on 22 October, citing a Fox News report linking Indian protests to a global network of 101 organisations across nine countries. The charge — invoking French and Albanian precedents, George Soros, and British MP Jeremy Corbyn — marks one of the most direct personalised attacks by the ruling party on the Leader of Opposition this year.
Key Takeaways
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia called Rahul Gandhi a 'traitor' at a press conference in New Delhi on 22 October 2026 .
BJP cited a Fox News digital report alleging 101 organisations across nine countries work to destabilise elected governments.
Two organisations specifically named: Indian Alliance Paris (France-based) and Progressive International .
Bhatia alleged Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi met a Progressive International delegation at 10 Janpath , citing Congress's own X post.
Bhatia questioned Rahul Gandhi 's meeting with British MP Jeremy Corbyn and demanded disclosure of protest funding sources.
Congress had not issued a formal response to the allegations at the time of reporting.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday, 22 October 2026, levelled sharp allegations against Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, labelling him a 'traitor' and accusing him of maintaining links with international organisations allegedly seeking to foment unrest in India. The charges were made at a press conference in New Delhi by BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia, who cited a Fox News digital investigation as the basis for his claims.
What BJP Alleged at the Press Conference
Bhatia claimed the Fox News report described a network of 101 organisations across nine countries that allegedly work to destabilise democratically elected governments — what the report reportedly termed a 'red-green ecosystem of protests', with 'red' denoting communist groups and 'green' denoting Islamist outfits. He alleged that protests in India led by the LoP were part of this international network.
'It is India's misfortune that its LoP is irresponsible and, according to the facts that I will present, it would not be wrong to call him a traitor,' Bhatia said at the press conference.
The Organisations at the Centre of BJP's Claims
Bhatia specifically named two organisations: Indian Alliance Paris, described as a France-based group, and Progressive International. He alleged that Indian Alliance Paris amplified Rahul Gandhi's posts and videos when he was detained during a protest, and 'baselessly criticises India's democracy.' Regarding Progressive International, he claimed that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi had met a delegation of the organisation at 10 Janpath in New Delhi, citing photos shared from the Congress party's X account as evidence.
Bhatia also questioned Rahul Gandhi's reported meeting with British MP Jeremy Corbyn, whom he described as someone who 'believes that Kashmir is not an integral part of India.'
BJP's Broader Political Framing
The BJP spokesperson drew a connection to a recent address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Vijayadashami, in which Modi had reportedly urged citizens to remain vigilant against forces seeking to weaken the country. Bhatia also cited a social media post on Albania by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut regarding unrest there, alleging it amounted to a 'signal to attack' constitutional institutions in India.
'How can the LoP urge external forces to interfere in our internal matters? That itself is treason,' Bhatia said, demanding that Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi publicly disclose what was discussed with Progressive International.
Key Questions and Demands Raised
Bhatia demanded that Rahul Gandhi disclose the source of funding for the protests, asking whether money came from George Soros, Jeremy Corbyn, or Progressive International. He drew a distinction between the democratic right to protest and what he characterised as violence against public institutions, warning of legal consequences for the latter. He also referenced the Supreme Court taking cognisance of Rahul Gandhi entering its premises with a large group.
There was no immediate response from Congress or Rahul Gandhi's office to the allegations at the time of reporting. The BJP's broadside comes amid heightened political tensions over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and related street protests.
Point of View
A charge that is difficult to walk back and sets the temperature for what follows in Parliament. Notably, the evidentiary basis rests almost entirely on a single foreign media report and photos from Congress's own social media account, neither of which has been independently verified. The timing — linking the allegation to an ongoing protest movement over electoral roll revisions — suggests this is as much about delegitimising street opposition as it is about any foreign interference claim. If Congress does not respond with specificity, the BJP's narrative fills the vacuum; if it does respond, the debate shifts to the organisations themselves, which may not be comfortable ground for the opposition either.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the BJP called Rahul Gandhi a 'traitor'?
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia on 22 October alleged that Rahul Gandhi has links with international organisations — specifically Indian Alliance Paris and Progressive International — that the BJP claims are working to destabilise India's elected government. Bhatia cited a Fox News digital investigation as the basis for these charges.
What is Progressive International and why is it in the news?
Progressive International is an organisation that BJP spokesperson Bhatia alleged met with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi at 10 Janpath in New Delhi. He claimed it is part of a global network of 101 organisations across nine countries that the Fox News report links to efforts aimed at destabilising democratically elected governments.
What is Indian Alliance Paris?
Indian Alliance Paris is described as a France-based organisation that BJP alleges amplifies Rahul Gandhi's social media posts and videos, particularly during protests, and 'baselessly criticises India's democracy.' It was flagged in the Fox News report cited by Bhatia.
Has Congress responded to BJP's allegations?
No formal response from Congress or Rahul Gandhi's office had been issued at the time of reporting. The allegations were made at a press conference on 22 October and represent one of the most direct personal attacks by the ruling party on the Leader of Opposition in recent months.
What did BJP demand from Rahul Gandhi?
BJP spokesperson Bhatia demanded that Rahul Gandhi publicly disclose the source of funding for the ongoing protests, asking whether it originates from George Soros, Jeremy Corbyn, or Progressive International. He also called on both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to reveal what was discussed during their alleged meeting with Progressive International.
