Read on Twitter
Stunning news as @ofbjp_usa, a major support base 4 India's Hindu nationalist @BJP4India which mobilized 1000s of Indian-Americans 3 travel 3 India to campaign 4 the party, is reportedly under investigation by @TheJusticeDept & has suspended all activities. #ForeignInterference
News comes from @ashoswai, who reports it's circulating in internal #OFBJP WhatsApp groups & @ofbjp_usa is desperate to suppress the news. No surprise they want to keep it quiet considering Indian-American #BJP backers were backbone for Modi's election. https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/6/16660/How-Indias-Ruling-Party-Mobilizes-Indian-Americans-to-Win-Elections
In 2019, @ofbjp_usa President Krishna Reddy Anugula, estimated the group had a loose network of up to 300,000 Indian-Americans. In 2014, it had boasted 18 chapters in 13 states, approx 4,000 members, an elected National Executive Committee of 10, & a 40-person National Council.
Notably, @TulsiGabbard was heavily backed for US Congress by donations from @ofbjp_usa leadership. In Aug 2014, she spoke at 2 #OFBJP victory parties for #Modi, including one where BJP Foreign Affairs Cell Chief @VijayJollyBJP joined her while she wore a #BJP scarf.
At the event, @VijayJollyBJP of @ofbjp_usa had declared to @TulsiGabbard, who was running for re-election 2nd term: "We are sure... your victory later this year is a foregone conclusion.... I’m predicting today for your victory.” #ForeignInterference
#TulsiGabbard, responding to questions about wearing #BJP scarf, has responded, "Somebody put something around my neck and snapped a picture without my knowing what it was."
Her campaign finance records indicate she helped pay for the @ofbjp_usa event. https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/476992-gabbard-responds-to-criticism-for-wearing-bjp-scarf-somebody-put-something
Her campaign finance records indicate she helped pay for the @ofbjp_usa event. https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/476992-gabbard-responds-to-criticism-for-wearing-bjp-scarf-somebody-put-something
Until very recently, @ofbjp_usa had an advanced website featuring a member's login as well as a full listing of leadership — including executive committee, national committee, national council, & chapters.
All of that has now been STRIPPED from #OFBJP website.
All of that has now been STRIPPED from #OFBJP website.
The @ofbjp_usa website is now single page w/all sub-pages showing "under construction." One crucial change has been made w/RED text added:
"Disseminated by Overseas Friends of BJP-USA, a registered foreign agent, on behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party."
https://ofbjp.org
"Disseminated by Overseas Friends of BJP-USA, a registered foreign agent, on behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party."
https://ofbjp.org
Was @ofbjp_usa violating Foreign Agents Registration Act, which requires "agents representing the interests of foreign powers in a 'political or quasi-political capacity' disclose their relationship w/the foreign government & information about related activities & finances"?
@ofbjp_usa has, apparently, JUST filed brand new paperwork filed w/ @TheJusticeDept as of August 2020 to register itself as a Foreign Agent. Paperwork states that #OFBJP. View it at the link.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/fara2.opensecrets.org/6861-Registration-Statement-20200827-1.pdf
https://s3.amazonaws.com/fara2.opensecrets.org/6861-Registration-Statement-20200827-1.pdf
According to @ofbjp_usa's Foreign Agent registration, #OFBJP "engage[s] in regular communications w/officials of #BJP and, from time to time, acts under the direction or at the request of BJP officials when planning events or distributing informational materials within the US."
