BJP Telangana President Ramchandar Rao on Tuesday hit back at Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, over his social media post alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives foreign financial support and backing.

Rao questioned Gandhi’s own alleged links with foreign entities and accused him of making baseless allegations against the BJP.

Speaking to media, Rao said Gandhi should remember that his party was founded by a foreigner and alleged that it is now almost being led by a foreigner.

“Rahul Gandhi has tweeted on X that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is receiving foreign financial support and backing. He must first remember that his party was formed by a foreigner and is now almost headed by a foreigner,” Rao said.

He further accused Gandhi of supporting foreign countries, including Bangladesh and Nepal, and alleged that he receives backing from US-based investor George Soros.

“You take examples from countries like Bangladesh and Nepal and receive support from a foreigner like George Soros. You speak against India during your visits to Europe and America,” he said.

Rao also accused the Congress leader of questioning India’s position on Pakistan following surgical strikes and signing agreements with China. He questioned why Gandhi was accusing the BJP of receiving foreign support while allegedly having foreign backing himself.

“You speak against India and support foreign countries like Pakistan when surgical strikes take place. You signed a pact with a country like China. You yourself are half foreign. Then why are you alleging that the BJP is receiving foreign support? In fact, you are the one receiving foreign support. Such statements reflect intellectual hollowness,” Rao told media.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Minister Dilip Ghosh also criticised Gandhi over his remarks, alleging that the Congress leader was attempting to create unrest in the country with the support of foreign money and forces.

“Creating unrest in the country with foreign money, foreign forces and foreign inspiration, opposing the government and government institutions, and tarnishing the country’s image has become Rahul Gandhi’s tradition. He is moving in the same direction,” Ghosh said.

Earlier on Monday, Gandhi had accused Prime Minister Modi of receiving “foreign help” to become and remain in power. He also alleged that India’s financial system was “controlled and supported” by foreign entities and claimed that foreign social media platforms “backed” the Prime Minister.

In a major development in the alleged attack on former Kerala Health Minister Veena George, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Tuesday informed the court that none of the charges against the five KSU activists involved in the case can be sustained.

SIT head U. Preman submitted the final report before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Kannur, stating that the activists had not committed any of the offences mentioned in the charge sheet.

The report says charges of rioting and trespassing into the railway premises will not stand.

It also makes it clear that the protesters did not obstruct the police from performing their official duties.

A black-flag protest, the SIT says, does not amount to a criminal offence.

The latest report marks a significant turn in the case, which had attracted considerable political attention after the police invoked serious charges, including attempt to murder, against the five Kerala Students’ Union (KSU) activists.

The SIT has found that the activists did not attack Veena George.

It has also said that the protesters never managed to reach her during the demonstration at Kannur railway station, early this year.

The alleged assault charge could not be established after the former minister’s gunman, Abhilash, changed his statement before the investigating team.

He told the SIT that he had not seen the protesters attempting to attack Veena George.

The original case was based largely on his statement that the protesters had attempted to assault the minister using weapons.

However, the SIT could not recover the weapons allegedly used in the incident.

The investigation found that what took place was a scuffle between the KSU activists and the police.

The team had earlier submitted a report to the Director General of Police (DGP), pointing out that the protest had been exaggerated and that the activists had not reached the former minister.

The gunman also reportedly told the SIT that he had given a false statement at Veena George’s direction.

This disclosure had raised questions over the original version of the incident.

The latest report before the court now places the entire case in a different light, with the SIT concluding that the protesters cannot be prosecuted for the offences originally alleged against them.

The case had become a major political controversy, with the Congress and the CPI(M) taking sharply opposing positions over the incident.

The CPI (M), as soon as the incident occurred in February, staged protest marches as elections were round the corner.

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi on Tuesday expressed gratitude to the Government of India, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force for rescuing 20 Iranian crew members of the fishing vessel Azini from pirates in a coordinated operation in the Arabian Sea.

Appreciating the Indian Armed Forces for their efforts, the Iranian Embassy said the operation reflected India’s commitment to humanitarian assistance and its role in saving lives beyond borders.

In a post on X, the Embassy said: “The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in New Delhi expresses its sincere appreciation to the Government of India, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force for their successful operation to rescue the 20 Iranian crew members of the fishing vessel Azini from pirates.”

“We highly commend the professionalism, courage and effective coordination demonstrated by the Indian Armed Forces, reflecting India’s strong commitment to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and its role in saving lives beyond borders,” It added.

The embassy highlighted that this humanitarian operation stands as a testament to the “spirit of friendship, solidarity and cooperation between Iran and India.”

“We extend our sincere gratitude to all those involved in ensuring the safe rescue of the Iranian crew.”

The Indian Navy rescued all 20 crew members of the pirated fishing vessel Azini in a meticulously coordinated 48-hour operation, more than 3,000 km from Mumbai, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.

The operation was successfully carried out on November 2, with the Navy locating and intercepting the vessel and securing the safe release of all crew members from heavily armed pirates.

Congratulating the Indian Navy on the successful mission, the Defence Minister said that the operation demonstrated the force’s high operational readiness and its ability to respond decisively to maritime threats across the region.

In a post on X, Singh said: “My congratulations to #Indian Navy for successfully executing a meticulously coordinated 48-hour operation to rescue all 20 crew members of the pirated fishing vessel, Azini, more than 3000 km from Mumbai in the Arabian Sea, on 02 Nov 26.”

“The swift localisation, interception and safe release of the crew and vessel from significantly-armed pirates, with timely support from the Indian Air Force, speak well of the Indian Navy’s high operational readiness and ability to respond decisively to maritime threats across the region,” he added.

Praising the personnel involved, the Defence Minister said: “Our brave personnel have once again demonstrated India’s ability, intent and resolve to safeguard lives, uphold maritime security and ensure stability across the Indian Ocean Region.”

Reiterating India’s commitment to maritime security, Singh said the country would continue to work towards ensuring safe seas and a free, open and secure Indian Ocean Region.