New Delhi: Political slugfest and controversy over USAID funding continue to rage. After the BJP raised serious concerns over the funding of USAID (United States Agency for International Development) and accused the organisation of being supported by anti-India elements, Congress leaders hit out at BJP leader Smriti Irani’s alleged ties to USAID.
On Tuesday, Congress leader Priyank Kharge shared a screenshot of BJP leader Smriti Irani’s profile, which was posted on the Ministry of Minority Affairs’ website, highlighting that she had in the past served as USAID’s ‘Goodwill Ambassador’ to India.
Taking to X, Kharge wrote: “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?”
After Kharge’s post, Congress leader Pawan Khera wrote, “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.”
This is brilliant. We finally have the answer to BJP’s favourite question – Rasode Mein Kaun Tha?
The actual agent of George Soros turns out to be @smritiirani. https://t.co/So8V9fSl0h— Pawan Khera 🇮🇳 (@Pawankhera) February 18, 2025
BJP’s clarification
Reacting sharply to the accusations raised by Congress against Irani, BJP IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya pointed out that Irani was appointed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the Goodwill Brand Ambassador for Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) from 2002 to 2005, because of her widespread popularity as an actress. He said that the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) had supported Irani’s campaign and Sheila Dikshit was Delhi’s chief minister at that time.
Malviya wrote on X: “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.”
He added: “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.”
The World Health Organization (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.
The WHO… https://t.co/nlzSG7kzOz pic.twitter.com/AOwUKUydSk
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) February 18, 2025
In response, Khera pinned the blame on the BJP for first demonising USAID and Soros to distract people’s attention from the party’s domestic failures. “We recognise the role of global cooperation in governance and geopolitics.,” he wrote.
Earlier, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey had claimed that anti-India elements aligned with Congress were funding USAID and called for a probe into it.
