India is investigating USAID’s $21 million funding for “voter turnout” in the 2012 elections. The BJP and Congress are accusing each other of benefiting from external interference. The funding was uncovered by the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk. Former US President Donald Trump criticized the Biden administration for approving the funds. The Election Commission of India has denied receiving any such financial assistance.
Key Highlights:
India Raises Concerns Over USAID’s Election Funding:
The Indian government has expressed concerns over a $21 million fund allocated by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in 2012 for “voter turnout in India.” The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the matter raises “worries of interference in Indian internal matters,” and relevant agencies are investigating the issue.
The revelation has reignited political tensions between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress. Both parties have labeled the fund as “external interference in India’s electoral process” but have blamed each other for benefiting from it.
According to BJP spokespersons, the Congress-led UPA government at the time “systematically enabled the infiltration of India’s institutions by forces opposed to the nation’s interests.” Meanwhile, Congress claims that the fund was ultimately used in a way that helped the BJP’s rise to power in 2014.
Elon Musk-Led DOGE Uncovers USAID’s Global Election Spending:
The funding was brought to light by the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a government audit body led by Elon Musk. DOGE found that the US had spent $486 million under the “Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening.”
Out of this, $21 million was allocated for India’s election process, while $22 million was set aside for Moldova’s “inclusive and participatory political process.” Another $29 million was allocated for “strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh.”
Following these revelations, BJP leader Amit Malviya accused Congress of being involved in election manipulation. In response, Congress leader Pawan Khera agreed that the funding represented foreign interference but questioned who ultimately benefited.
Former Election Commission Chief Denies Receiving Funds:
Former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi, who served from 2010 to 2012, has dismissed claims that USAID funding influenced India’s election process.
“In 2012, the Election Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). This was similar to other agreements the poll body had signed earlier and continues to sign. The purpose was training, and any mention of funding is completely false and malicious,” Quraishi clarified.
However, BJP leaders, including Pradeep Bhandari, allege that a significant portion of the USAID funding went to NGOs linked to Rahul Gandhi and the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. They argue that the US had a vested interest in influencing India’s political landscape in favor of Congress.
Donald Trump Slams Biden Administration Over India Funding:
The controversy gained further momentum when former US President Donald Trump criticized the Biden administration’s decision to allocate $21 million to India’s election process.
“Why is it necessary to spend $21 million on Indian voter turnout? I suppose their goal was to elect someone else. We must inform the Indian government. This is a complete breakthrough,” Trump said.
Trump, who originally established DOGE to cut unnecessary government spending, further claimed that “foreign election funding” was a tactic used to manipulate democratic processes.
“DOGE has already saved more than $55 billion in less than a month, and we’re only getting started. We will drastically reduce the federal government in order to rapidly grow our economy,” Trump declared.
Bangladesh Also Caught in Foreign Influence Debate:
Apart from India, the DOGE audit also revealed a $29 million fund allocated for Bangladesh’s political landscape. The funding disclosure comes after a significant political upheaval in the country.
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus recently replaced Sheikh Hasina as Prime Minister following a student-led revolution. Hasina has accused foreign forces of orchestrating the unrest, which eventually forced her to flee the country.
Government Investigation and Political Fallout:
With the matter now under investigation by Indian authorities, questions remain about the true extent of foreign involvement in India’s electoral processes. If proven, it could have far-reaching implications for India’s diplomatic relations with the US and future election monitoring policies.
The controversy also intensifies the political battle between the BJP and Congress ahead of upcoming elections, with both parties seeking to frame the narrative in their favor.
As the investigation unfolds, whether the $21 million USAID fund influenced Indian elections or is merely a case of routine international cooperation remains to be seen.
The Hindustan Herald Is Your Source For The Latest In Business, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Breaking News, And Other News. Please Follow Us On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, And LinkedIn To Receive Instantaneous Updates. Also Don’t Forget To Subscribe Our Telegram Channel @hindustanherald
