BJP Social Media Chief Names Indian Express Group As Omidyar Beneficiary

New Delhi: BJP I-T cell head Amit Malviya has accused the Omidyar Network of funding events in India despite claiming to cease operations. In his tweet on X, Malviya questioned the Indian Express for not disclosing links to Omidyar. Malviya wrote, “Omidyar is part of USAID’s Finance and Investment Network and has also been funded by George Soros’ Open Society Foundation—a fact acknowledged on both organisations’ websites."

The connection of Omidyar Network with George Soros' Open Society Foundation which is an alleged part of US Deep State and USAID are in question because both the organisations have been accused by the Modi government of interfering in India's internal affairs, creating political unrest, fuelling protests, spreading anarchy and going up to an extent of even regime change.

Recently, US President Donald Trump 's hinted at USAID's alleged interference in India as he mentioned that $21 million were sanctioned for enhancing voter turnout in the country and questioned the move, probably taken during the previous Joe Biden -led regime. Trump further asked that why American tax payers money be spent on boosting voter turn out in India and called it a ‘kickback’ scheme.

Trump made the 'kickback' scheme claim while addressing the Republican Governors Association (RGA) meeting, saying, "And USD 21 million for voter turnout in India. Why are we caring about India turnout? We got enough problems. We want our own turnout, don't we? Can you imagine all that money going to India? I wonder what they think when they get it. Now, it's a kickback scheme. You know, it's not like they get it and they spend, they kick it back to the people that send it. I would say in many cases, many of these cases, anytime you have no idea what we're talking about, that means there's a kickback because nobody has any idea what's going on there. USD 29 million to strengthen the political landscape in Bangladesh. Nobody knows what they mean by political landscape. What does that mean?"

Trump questioned that what was the need for the United States to fund $21 million to India saying whether they (USAID) were trying to get somebody else elected. It's after all these developments, Amit Malviya has made a fresh revelation on Omidyar Network's activities in India.

Claiming that Omidyar Network sponsored The Indian Express Programs, BJP’s IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya in a long post on X, formerly Twitter, said that they (Omidyar) Network funded an event in Chennai on August 12, 2024 and another in Delhi as recently as January 2025, despite Omidyar India’s website stating that it ceased operations in India effective December 31, 2024.

Amit Malviya further wrote, “Interestingly, Omidyar is part of USAID’s Finance and Investment Network and has also been funded by George Soros’ Open Society Foundation—a fact acknowledged on both organisations’ websites.

Amit Malviya said, “The Indian Express should have disclosed this clear conflict of interest while publishing its flawed story on USAID, but it didn’t.”

The BJP’s IT Cell chief further went on to say, “The conflict doesn’t end there. Jay Mazoomdar, the author of the misleading piece, is a member of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), which partners with OCCRP (Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project)—an organisation funded by USAID and George Soros.”

These revelations pose serious concerns for India, our public discourse, and the credibility of the newspaper in question, the BJP leader added.

Now Amit Malviya has questioned Omidyar Network’s links with The Indian Express after the news outlet in its fact-check report  said that USAID’s $21 Million (Rs 182 approx) did not go to India but was for Bangladesh .

The information of USAID setting aside $21 million for strengthening voter turnout in India was first out out by Trump's administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) headed by Elon Musk. 

 Modi govt targets Opposition after Trump's USAID expose

After Trump’s USAID expose, the BJP targeted the Opposition, especially the Congress party saying it was taking foreign funds to stop Prime Minister Narendra Modi from coming back to power.

BJP further claimed that ever since the NDA government came to power, there was an immense increase in foreign funding of the NGOs, accusing the USAID of funding anti-India and anti-national forums.

Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not hesitated in raising the issue of foreign powers meddling in India's internal affairs and trying to destabilise the country.

Deeply concerning, MEA on Trump's USAID revelation  

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also addressed the matter saying the information disclosed by Trump administration regarding USAID is deeply concerning.

MEA said they have seen the information disclosed by US administration regarding some USA activities and funding which are deeply troubling and raised concerns about foreign interference in India’s internal affairs adding relevant departments are looking into the matter.