DOGE withdraws $21 million allocated for ‘voter turnout in India,’ BJP responds.

The United States Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), under the leadership of Elon Musk, has declared the cancellation of more than $750 million in international aid, which includes a $21 million initiative designed to enhance voter participation in India. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has asserted that the funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) serves as evidence of “external interference in India’s electoral process.”

This decision, announced by Musk on his social media platform X, is part of a larger initiative by the Donald Trump administration aimed at reducing government expenditures.

“US taxpayer dollars were intended for the following items, all of which have been cancelled,” stated the DOGE announcement, which specifically pointed out the $21 million allocated for India. This decision follows closely on the heels of a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where they discussed the enhancement of bilateral relations. During a joint press conference, Trump was questioned about the potential involvement of USAID in the 2020 US presidential elections and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in India.

“It (USAID) could have had a role in Indian elections. Bad things happened in 2020 and in 2024. But the 2024 US polls were too big to rig. But I think they probably tried,” Trump responded.

Amit Malviya, the head of the BJP’s social media division, raised concerns regarding the intentions behind foreign financial contributions. He remarked, “USD 21 million for voter turnout? This certainly constitutes external interference in India’s electoral process. Who benefits from this? Certainly not the ruling party!” in a post on X. During a session in the Lok Sabha on February 10, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey called for an investigation into organizations receiving funding from USAID in India, asserting that many of these entities aimed to incite unrest and had connections to the opposition Congress party.

Dubey claimed that organizations funded by USAID had organized protests against the government’s Agniveer initiative, advocated for a caste census, and supported naxalism within the country. He further noted that former President Trump had terminated USAID, which he alleged had a history of financing efforts to destabilize governments globally.

What is USAID?

USAID is an agency of the United States government that provides foreign assistance to foster global development, humanitarian aid, and economic advancement. It finances initiatives in various sectors, including health, education, agriculture, and the promotion of democracy, primarily in developing nations.

In addition to India, Elon Musk has also reduced funding by $29 million aimed at “strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh.” This decision occurs during a period of political instability in the country, where an interim government led by Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus is facing challenges in restoring order after violent protests that forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to seek refuge in India. Other notable funding reductions announced by DOGE include $10 million for voluntary medical male circumcision initiatives in Mozambique, $14 million for social cohesion projects in Mali, $1.5 million for voter confidence programs in Liberia, and $47 million aimed at enhancing educational outcomes in Asia. Additionally, governance and transparency initiatives have been impacted, with $32 million allocated to the Prague Civil Society Centre and $20 million for fiscal federalism in Nepal being among the projects terminated.

Elon Musk has repeatedly cautioned that “America would go bankrupt” without significant cuts to the federal budget, and the DOGE initiative seems to play a crucial role in the fiscal policy reform of the Trump administration. This department, created to “modernize federal technology and software to enhance governmental efficiency and productivity,” has been recognized for uncovering savings amounting to tens of billions of dollars.

Ansi

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