US President Donald Trump’s comment about a purported $21 million spent on boosting voter turnout in India has led to a political controversy, with the BJP accusing Congress of soliciting foreign intervention. Congress dismissed Trump’s claims as nonsensical and lacking evidence. Investigations are ongoing, revealing that the funding may have been allocated to Bangladesh instead.
A remark made by US President Donald Trump regarding a purported $21 million expenditure by the US for increasing voter turnout in India has ignited significant political controversy in the country. This statement emerged shortly after Elon Musk’s team announced the cancellation of funding linked to a US agency involved in foreign aid.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) termed this alleged funding as ‘external interference,’ accusing the Congress party of soliciting such intervention. In contrast, the Congress party rebuked these claims as ‘nonsensical’ and noted the absence of supportive evidence from the US.
India’s foreign ministry expressed that Trump’s assertions were ‘deeply troubling,’ emphasizing that it was overly presumptive to make public statements before an investigation was completed. Foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal underscored the need for thorough inquiry on the matter before drawing any conclusions.
Trump’s administration has aimed to bolster the US economy through initiatives like the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), led by Musk. One of the notable initiatives across headlines has been the scrutiny of USAID, which was founded to oversee humanitarian efforts and has been criticized by Musk as a ‘criminal organization.’
In defending the funding cuts, Trump remarked that India, being one of the highest-taxing nations, does not require American assistance. His remarks about the $21 million for India’s voter turnout sparked discussions about the American government’s role in foreign elections.
On Thursday, Trump reiterated his viewpoint on the expenditure during a summit in Miami, implying that the US was involved in an endeavor to influence electoral outcomes in India. This came shortly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington, where discussions about military sales and trade were also conducted.
BJP leader Amit Malviya shared remarks from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who had previously appealed to major democracies about the state of their electoral model in India. Malviya accused Gandhi of seeking foreign intervention in domestic affairs, prompting a rebuttal from Congress member Jairam Ramesh.
Despite the controversy, neither Trump nor Doge has provided any evidence validating the alleged $21 million expenditure for voter turnout assistance. Historical records indicate that former election chief SY Qureshi did not receive such funding during his tenure, contradicting previous claims regarding financial associations with foreign organizations.
An investigative report by the Indian Express revealed that the $21 million was, in fact, allocated for Bangladesh rather than India, contradicting the initial claims, with significant funds already consumed by the project.
The discourse sparked by President Trump’s assertion regarding funding for voter turnout in India highlights the tensions in Indian politics, particularly concerning foreign interference allegations. The ruling BJP and the opposition Congress party have exchanged heated accusations, while ongoing investigations seek to address the veracity of Trump’s claims. Notably, recent findings suggest the funding may not concern India directly, complicating the narrative further.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
