Guwahati (Assam): The BJP has raised alarm over the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cancelling a USD 21 million fund earmarked for a project titled “Voter Turnout in India.” The party views this as potential interference in India’s electoral process.
BJP leader Nalin Kohli questioned the motives behind the funding, saying, “Why would any US agency wish to give $21 million for election-related work in India? Would that not amount to interference in India’s electoral process?” He emphasized India’s democratic independence and free and fair elections, underlining that India’s Election Commission is responsible for ensuring the integrity of elections.
Kohli also drew comparisons with previous allegations involving the Congress Party and organizations like Cambridge Analytica, accusing them of attempts to influence elections in India. He added, “If anyone has received money under it, that has to be made clear,” calling for transparency.
Mahesh Jethmalani and Sanjeev Sanyal Respond
Supreme Court senior advocate and BJP MP Mahesh Jethmalani went a step further, stating that Indian agencies should seize USAID’s accounts and investigate the disbursal trail of the $21 million. He described those involved as “stooges of the Democratic Deep State” and suggested that they should face the full force of the law for treason.
Economist and PM Modi’s Economic Advisory Council member Sanjeev Sanyal also weighed in, calling USAID “the biggest scam in human history.” He raised questions about who received the funds intended to improve voter turnout in India and other similar projects in Bangladesh and Nepal.
SY Quraishi and BJP’s Claims
Responding to the controversy, former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) S.Y. Quraishi clarified that there was no financing involved in the 2012 MoU between the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), a U.S.-based organization. Quraishi explained that the MoU was purely for training purposes and had no financial obligations or promises attached. He rejected claims regarding any funds allocated under this agreement as “false and malicious.”
BJP’s Allegations of Foreign Influence
The BJP’s Amit Malviya expressed concerns about external interference, pointing to the connection between Soros’s Open Society Foundation and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems. Malviya alleged that foreign organizations had previously infiltrated India’s institutions and electoral process with the Congress-led UPA government’s support.
US Announcement on Cancelled Fund
On February 16, DOGE posted a list detailing the cancellation of several U.S. taxpayer-funded initiatives, including the USD 21 million earmarked for “voter turnout in India.” The report also mentioned USAID’s role in various international funding initiatives.
This has sparked a broader debate about the role of foreign funding in India’s democratic process and whether such initiatives should be allowed.