Union Minister Smriti Irani slammed the remarks made by billionaire investor George Soros on Thursday, February 16 that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be weakened by the business troubles of Gautam Adani in light of the Hindenburg report alleging Adani Group of ‘stock manipulation’ among other claims. In response, the minister said that the billionaire "makes such pronouncements to demolish Indian democracy so that his handpicked people run the government in the country."
"The man who broke the Bank of England and is designated by the nation an economic war criminal has now pronounced his desire to break Indian democracy. George Soros, an international entrepreneur has declared his ill-intention to intervene in democratic processes of India," she said.
In a speech on Thursday, the 92-year-old billionaire philanthropist noted that PM Modi has remained silent thus far on the matter of allegations of fraud and stock manipulation at Adani's industrial empire. The PM would "have to answer questions" by foreign investors and parliament, he said, adding that he expects a "revival of democracy in India".
Responding to his remarks, Smriti Irani called upon citizens to "denounce the intention of this individual who seeks to demonise our democracy and who brings an onslaught to the economy of India so that he can personally gain".
"Those who Mr Soros finds pliable need to know India has defeated imperialistic design before and shall do again. Democracy has prevailed in India and will continue to do so. Designs to weaken Indian democracy will be met with might of India under leadership of PM Modi," she added.
