Fri Feb 21 10:56:27 UTC 2025: ## India Investigates $21 Million USAID Grant for Voter Turnout Amidst Political Firestorm
**NEW DELHI** – A $21 million USAID grant aimed at boosting voter turnout in India in 2012 has ignited a fierce political debate, with accusations of foreign interference in India’s internal affairs. The revelation, stemming from a recent audit by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has led to investigations by relevant Indian agencies.
The controversy erupted after the BJP accused the Congress party of facilitating the grant, alleging it constituted external interference in India’s electoral process. The Congress countered that the BJP, not in power at the time, is the one who ultimately benefited. Congress leader Pawan Khera pointed out that the grant was disbursed during the Congress-led UPA government’s tenure.
Former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi refuted the claims, stating that the funding was part of a standard Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) for election-related training. He described allegations linking the funds to specific political parties as “false and malicious.”
However, BJP leaders, including Pradeep Bhandari, alleged that a significant portion of the funds went to NGOs linked to the Gandhi family. Furthermore, former US President Donald Trump, who established the DOGE, questioned the grant’s purpose, suggesting it was an attempt to influence the election outcome. He stated, “Why do we need to spend $21 million on voter turnout in India? I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected.”
The DOGE audit also revealed a $22 million grant for Moldova’s political processes, and $29 million allocated to strengthening Bangladesh’s political landscape. The timing of these grants coincides with significant political shifts in both countries, further fueling concerns about foreign influence. The Indian government’s investigation into the 2012 grant is ongoing.
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