Trump’s $21 Million Voter Turnout Claim Sparks Debate in India
Trump’s assertion of $21 million spent by the US on Indian voter turnout ignites political tensions, with the BJP calling it “external interference” and Congress rejecting the claim as “nonsensical.” India’s foreign ministry finds the claims troubling, and ongoing investigations have yet to corroborate the funding’s existence, which may have been misdirected to Bangladesh.
Former US President Donald Trump’s assertion that the US allocated $21 million to enhance voter turnout in India’s elections has ignited a significant political controversy in India. This comment surfaced shortly after Elon Musk’s organization announced the cancellation of funding regarding a US agency that provides foreign assistance following a crackdown. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) termed the funding as “external interference” and accused the opposition Congress party of soliciting this aid.
In response, Congress labeled Trump’s claims as “nonsensical,” emphasizing that the US has failed to present any evidence supporting this assertion. India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described these remarks as “deeply troubling,” while spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal deemed it “premature” to rush to conclusions and confirmed an ongoing investigation into the matter.
Trump’s administration aimed to boost the US economy by creating the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), led by Musk, with a mission to reduce federal expenditure. Musk has criticized the USAID, describing it as a “criminal organization” and revealed recent funding cancellations, including the alleged $21 million for India’s election initiatives.
On Thursday, Trump reinforced his stance by challenging the rationale behind the supposed $21 million expenditure for boosting voter engagement in India, alluding to India’s financial stability amidst heavy taxation.
This follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Washington, during which Trump announced enhanced military sales and trade deals. During this summit, Trump also remarked, “I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected. We have got to tell the Indian government.”
BJP leader Amit Malviya took to social media, sharing a clip of Rahul Gandhi where he suggested that major democracies seem unaware that a portion of the democratic model in India has eroded. Malviya accused Gandhi of calling for foreign intervention in India’s domestic affairs.
Jairam Ramesh from Congress dismissed these accusations and urged the government to disclose USAID’s continued support for governmental and non-governmental initiatives throughout Modi’s administration.
Despite media coverage, neither Trump nor Musk has substantiated the claim of a $21 million USAID donation to India. Former election chief SY Qureshi stated he never received such funding during his leadership from 2010 to 2012. Allegations of an agreement struck with an organization associated with George Soros were also met with Qureshi’s denial, describing it as “malicious” and devoid of any financial obligation.
An investigative report by the Indian Express revealed that the $21 million was actually designated for Bangladesh rather than India, slated to last until July 2025 with $13.4 million already disbursed.
In summary, Trump’s $21 million comment regarding voter turnout funding in India has stirred a political dispute, revealing tensions between the Indian government and the opposition. The lack of evidence from the US for these claims adds to the controversy, while India’s Ministry of External Affairs emphasizes an ongoing investigation. This event highlights the implications of foreign influence in domestic political contexts.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
