A massive row erupted after Congress banners having a distorted map of India were spotted in Karnataka’s Belagavi. The incident drew the ire of the BJP, which called the incident “shameful” and accused the Congress of being hand-in-glove with US investor George Soros to destabilise the country.

The BJP posted photos of the banners displaying the distorted map, which shows parts of Jammu and Kashmir missing. The boards were put up as the Congress is holding a CWC meeting to mark the 100th anniversary of the Belgaum session presided over by Mahatma Gandhi.

“@INCKarnataka has shown utter disrespect for India’s sovereignty by displaying a distorted map at their Belagavi event, portraying Kashmir as part of Pakistan. All this just to appease their vote bank. This is shameful!” the Karnataka BJP unit tweeted.

The saffron party demanded Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to direct the removal of such banners and take action against the culprits.

“Pakistan has given Pakistan-occupied Kashmir @INCKarnataka!! The fact that Congressmen distorted the map of India in the name of Gandhian India is truly treason. The banners put up in Belgaum are proof that the Congress is ‘ready’ to do any kind of dirty work for personal selfish gain and politics of appeasement. Chief Minister @siddaramaiah, immediately remove these controversial banners and take action against the traitors who distorted the map of India,” the party said.

Later, speaking at a press conference, BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi said it was “alarming and unfortunate” for Congress leaders to violate the oath they took to protect India’s unity and integrity.

“Is any signal coming from Soros’s secret service or is some other anti-India power continuously giving you signals from across the seven seas? This isn’t an isolated incident, as they’ve done similar cheap things in the past,” he said.

The BJP has been using Soros’s name to attack the Congress, accusing the party of colluding with the billionaire investor to undermine India’s democratic institutions. This comes as Soros has been a vocal critic of the Narendra Modi-led government.

Trivedi said, “We would like to ask the Congress that why are parts of India being shown cut off several times in your tweets. Is this just a coincidence or is it part of an anti-India conspiracy?”

He asserted that the country always stood strong against anti-India forces and said the incident was a threat to the nation’s identity.

“India has always stood strong against anti-India forces, but it’s alarming and unfortunate to see Congress leaders violating the oath they took to protect the unity and integrity of India. The issue goes beyond just being a matter of maps. It’s a threat to India’s very identity,” he said.