The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized the Congress-led Telangana government for reportedly including French economist Thomas Piketty in an expert group to analyze the state’s caste survey data. BJP leader Amit Malviya on Sunday questioned the decision, asking whether India lacked qualified experts for the task.
Malviya further accused the Congress of jeopardizing India’s social harmony under the alleged influence of billionaire George Soros.
“The Telangana government has enlisted French economist Thomas Piketty to analyze and interpret the state’s caste survey. Is it wise to entrust such sensitive demographic data to a foreigner? Were there no qualified Indian experts? What explains this eagerness to expose our social fabric to external influences?” Malviya posted on X.
He further alleged that the Congress continues to operate “under the shadow of George Soros” and is “following a path that threatens India’s social harmony.”
BJP national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi also questioned the Congress party’s decision, asking why the Telangana government felt the need to involve a foreign expert in analyzing “sensitive caste data.”
“Many Indians hold prominent positions globally, so why is the state government bringing in a foreigner to study India’s intricate social structure?” Trivedi asked in a video posted on X on Saturday.
He also suggested that there might be a “deeper mystery” behind the move, hinting at possible foreign influence in India’s governance.
Trivedi further criticized Piketty’s economic model, stating that his research on wealth inequality has been controversial worldwide and could harm India’s salaried and middle-class populations.
The BJP has been vocal about its concerns regarding foreign involvement in India’s political and social matters. During the winter session of Parliament in December last year, the party raised allegations that the Nehru-Gandhi family’s ties with George Soros extend beyond Sonia Gandhi’s past role as co-president of the Forum of Democratic Leaders – Asia Pacific (FDL-AP).
With the caste survey being a politically sensitive issue, BJP leaders are demanding clarity from the Telangana government on why it chose a foreign economist for the analysis instead of relying on Indian experts.
