Thread by @FriedrichPieter

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.

thecitizen.in/index.php/en/N…

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.

thehill.com/homenews/campa…

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.

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."

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.

s3.amazonaws.com/fara2.opensecr…

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."

Should read "2 travel 2 India" — but I got excited.