New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress of seeking foreign funds to prevent Prime Minister Narendra Modi from coming to power in 2014. The allegations surfaced a day after former US President Donald Trump questioned the Biden administration’s decision to allocate $21 million to India for “voter turnout,” hinting at possible interference in the country’s electoral process.
The Congress has dismissed Trump’s remarks as “nonsensical” and has demanded a White Paper on USAID funds provided to India. According to BJP sources, during the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) rule, the Indian government received $204.28 million, while NGOs were granted $2114.96 million. The inflow reportedly declined significantly after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) assumed office, with government funding dropping to $1 million between 2014 and 2015, although non-profit organizations saw an increase in funding to $2579.73 million.
BJP sources further alleged that the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), backed by billionaire George Soros, has received $47 million since its inception. The party claimed that after Modi’s government took charge, USAID funds were redirected towards NGOs and forums allegedly working against India’s interests.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh hit back at the BJP’s allegations and reiterated the demand for a White Paper on USAID’s funding. In a post on X, Ramesh stated, “USAID is very much in the news these days. Claims being made by the US President are typically nonsensical to say the least. Even so, the Govt of India should bring out a White Paper at the earliest detailing USAID’s support to both governmental and non-governmental institutions in India over the decades.”
The controversy erupted after the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, listed various allocations of American taxpayer money, including “$21 million for voter turnout in India.” Trump’s remarks on Thursday questioning the rationale behind this funding have intensified the political debate.
With the 2024 general elections approaching, the BJP and Congress are locked in a heated exchange over foreign funding allegations, further fueling political tensions.
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