The Congress party has launched a strong attack on the BJP following US President Donald Trump’s claim that he gave $21 million to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to boost voter turnout in India. The controversy has sparked a heated debate, with both parties accusing each other of foreign influence in Indian elections.
Congress Demands Clarity on Trump’s Statement
At a press conference, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera questioned the BJP’s silence on the matter. He suggested that if Trump’s claim was true, then the ruling party must explain where the alleged funds went. Khera also demanded a White Paper on all foreign funds received by political parties and cultural organizations in India.
Citing a Washington Post report that dismissed Trump’s funding claim, Khera accused the BJP of hypocrisy. He alleged that while the BJP criticizes civil society groups for foreign funding, it has itself benefited from financial assistance from organizations like USAID.
USAID Funding and Political Influence
Khera pointed out that USAID has disbursed $650 million to India between 2021 and 2024. He questioned whether these funds were linked to political developments, including Modi’s rise as BJP’s prime ministerial candidate and the formation of AAP.
He also mentioned that USAID funds had been used for multiple projects in India over the years. “Who benefited from this money? Were these funds used to influence Indian elections?” Khera asked, demanding legal action against those spreading “fake narratives” to mislead the public.
Elon Musk’s DOGE Platform Sparks Controversy
The controversy escalated after Elon Musk’s DOGE platform claimed it had blocked a $21 million USAID grant allegedly meant to increase voter participation in India. Trump quickly picked up this claim, alleging that US taxpayer money was being used to interfere in India’s 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Despite The Washington Post’s investigation dismissing the claim, Trump continued to repeat his allegations. He questioned why the US government would spend such a large amount on voter turnout in India while similar efforts were lacking in America.
BJP Calls Rahul Gandhi a ‘Traitor’
The BJP responded by attacking Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of inviting foreign interference in India’s elections. BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia alleged that between 2004 and 2013, when Congress was in power, over $2,000 million in USAID funds flowed into India. In contrast, he claimed that under Modi’s government, this figure dropped to $1.5 million.
The BJP dismissed the Washington Post report as a “cover-up” and continued to accuse Congress of compromising India’s electoral integrity.
Government and MEA React to USAID Funding Claims
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded to the controversy, calling the allegations “worrisome” and confirming that the government was examining USAID’s financial activities in India.
“USAID was allowed to operate in India in good faith, but now there are concerns over its role. If there is any truth to these allegations, the country deserves to know who was involved,” Jaishankar said.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also called the allegations “deeply troubling” and stated that authorities were reviewing the matter closely.
Vice President and Election Commission Weigh In
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar warned that foreign funding could be used to influence India’s electoral process. He called the controversy a “political COVID” designed to weaken Indian democracy and urged legal action against those responsible.
Congress also dismissed BJP’s claim that a 2012 agreement between the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) allowed foreign interference in elections. Congress clarified that IFES was engaged to develop election management training and had no role in Indian elections.
The Washington Post Report Debunks Funding Claims
A Washington Post investigation found that the $21 million USAID grant never existed. The claim originated when DOGE falsely alleged that USAID allocated the funds as part of a $486 million payment to the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS). However, US officials confirmed that CEPPS had no involvement in India’s elections.
A USAID official told the publication, “We have never worked on elections in India. This claim is completely false.”
Despite this, Trump has doubled down on his allegations, repeatedly questioning why the US was spending money on voter turnout in India.
The controversy surrounding Trump’s claim has added a new dimension to the political battle between Congress and the BJP. While Congress is demanding transparency on foreign funding, the BJP is using the situation to accuse the opposition of inviting foreign interference. With The Washington Post’s report debunking the USAID funding claim, the issue continues to fuel a political storm ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The Indian government has assured that it is investigating the matter, and further developments could impact the ongoing political discourse.
