President donald trump backed the decision and questioned why US taxpayer funds were utilized for this program, only days after the US Department of government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by billionaire Elon Musk, canceled a $21 million award meant to increase "voter turnout" in India.
 
"Why is india receiving $21 million from us? They received much more money. They are among the nations that impose the biggest taxes on us; their tariffs are so exorbitant that we can scarcely enter. Although I greatly admire india and its prime minister, $21 million for voting turnout? In India? How is the voting turnout in this case? At his home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, President trump stated.

A list of taxpayer-funded projects that have been slashed was released by DOGE on february 16. Among them was the $21 million set aside for voter participation in India. DOGE made the news in a post on X, outlining a number of foreign aid initiatives that were judged excessive or unwarranted.
 
"US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all of which have been canceled," said DOGE.
 
A $29 million grant for "strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh" and a $39 million grant for "fiscal federalism" and "biodiversity conservation" in nepal were among the overseas fundings that were canceled, in addition to the india voter turnout grants.
 
The now-canceled financing was referred to as "external interference" in India's electoral process by the ruling BJP.
 
"Voter turnout: $21 million? This is unquestionably outside meddling in India's election process. Who benefits from this? Definitely not the ruling party. amit Malviya, the national spokesperson for the BJP, stated in a statement
 
He went one step further and connected the endeavor to what he described as foreign groups' "systematic infiltration" of indian institutions. Mr. Malviya specifically targeted billionaire financier George Soros, who has been charged by right-wing political figures throughout the world with using his Open Society Foundations to influence domestic politics.
 
"Once again, it is George Soros, a known associate of the congress party and the Gandhis, whose shadow looms over our electoral process," said Malviya.
 
Foreign-funded NGOs and civil society groups working in india have long been viewed with suspicion by the BJP. A contentious 2012 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the election commission of india and The international Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), a group connected to Mr. Soros's Open Society Foundation, was also brought to light by Mr. Malviya.
 
Mr. Malviya claims that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) administration, which was led by the congress, allowed for excessive foreign influence over India's election system.

"Ironically, those questioning the transparent and inclusive process of appointing India's election Commissioner -- a first in our democracy, where previously the prime minister alone made the decision -- had no hesitation in handing over the entire election commission of india to foreign operators," said Malviya.
 
He further charged that foreign meddling in indian affairs was often permitted by the Congress. "The Congress-led UPA government systematically enabled the infiltration of India's institutions by forces opposed to the nation's interests -- those who seek to weaken india at every opportunity," he said.
 
 

 
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SIBY JEYYA

19/02/2025 08:12 AM