The BJP criticized the Congress for allegedly seeking foreign funds to undermine Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2014 election success. This followed President Trump questioning a $21 million USAID fund by Biden’s administration for enhancing voter turnout in India, implying electoral interference. In response, Congress demanded a White Paper on the USAID funds, dismissing Trump’s comments as “nonsensical.” BJP sources claimed that foreign funding to NGOs increased significantly after Modi’s government took power, while funding to the government dropped. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh called for transparency on USAID’s support to both governmental and non-governmental institutions in India.
New Delhi:
The BJP criticized the Congress, alleging that it sought foreign funding to prevent Prime Minister Narendra Modi from assuming power in 2014. The accusations surfaced a day after US President Donald Trump expressed concerns regarding former President Joe Biden’s administration’s plan to allocate $21 million to India for “voter turnout,” speculating whether it was an attempt to “get somebody else elected.”
The Congress has called for a White Paper on the USAID funds sent to India, labeling Trump’s assertions as “nonsensical.”
BJP sources stated that during the tenure of the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), the government received $204.28 million, while NGOs received $2114.96 million. This influx sharply declined once the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) took power, with government funding plummeting to $1 million between 2014 and 2015, contrast to an increase in non-profit funding to $2579.73 million.
Since its inception, George Soros’s OCCRP, known for producing reports critical of the government that were utilized by Congress to challenge the NDA, has received $47 million, sources revealed.
“Following the Modi Government’s rise to power, funding to NGOs and other sectors in India markedly increased, demonstrating a shift from USAID’s direct involvement in governmental issues to financing anti-India and anti-national entities within the country,” BJP sources claimed.
Jairam Ramesh, a senior Congress leader and head of communications, responded by demanding a White Paper.
In a post on X, Mr. Ramesh stated: “USAID is very much in the news these days. It was established on November 3, 1961. The claims made by the US President are utterly nonsensical. Nonetheless, the Government of India should promptly publish a White Paper outlining USAID’s support to both governmental and non-governmental institutions in India throughout the years.”
USAID is very much in the news these days.
It was established on November 3, 1961. The claims made by the US President are utterly nonsensical. Nonetheless, the Government of India should promptly publish a White Paper outlining USAID’s support to both…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) February 20, 2025
On February 16, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire and SpaceX CEO Musk, released a list detailing items financed by US taxpayer dollars, which included “$21 million for voter turnout in India.”
On Thursday, Trump questioned the rationale behind funding $21 million to India for “voter turnout.” “Why do we need to spend USD 21 million for voter turnout in India? I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected,” President Trump remarked.