Trump Administration raising the issue of USAID funding has created massive political ramifications, allegations and counter allegations amongst the Centre, ruling party BJP and Opposition Congress.
Trump’s remark has evoked a sharp response from the Congress which urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to “talk to his friend” and strongly refute the allegation.
The Opposition party has demanded a white paper on the funds received in India from developmental agencies, aid mechanisms and multilateral forums.
Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar called the accusations “worrisome” and said that “if there’s something to it, then the country should know who the people are involved in it.”
BJP IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya shared Trump’s remarks in a social media post on X and took a swipe at the Opposition which later posted the complete statement of Trump where he called Modi his friend.
“For the third day in a row, US President Donald Trump reiterates his claim about USAID funding efforts to promote voter turnout in India. He says, We’re giving $21 million for voter turnout in India. What about us? I want voter turnout too. But what does he know about his own country’s spending,” Malviya said.
Malviya faced wrath of Congress Media and Publicity Head Pawan Khera who said perhaps Malviya erred in sharing the video of Trump who has clearly named PM Modi yet he tries to defend and implicate Congress aimlessly.
Congress also sought legal action against the RSS-BJP and “their ecosystem” for making wild allegations against credible civil society members, NGOs and political parties. Jaishankar on Saturday for the first time spoke about the allegations levied by former US President Donald Trump against USAID’s $21 million funding for ‘voter turnout in India’.
While speaking at the Delhi University Literature Festival, EAM Jaishankar said, “Some information has been put out there by the Trump administration people, and obviously, that is concerning… I think, as a government, we’re looking into it. My sense is that the facts will come out…USAID was allowed here in good faith, to do good faith activities; now, suggestions are being laid out from America that there are activities which are in bad faith. It’s worrisome, and if there’s something to it, then the country should know who the people are involved in it.”
Khera said the Modi government, its ministers, its economic advisor, BJP’s IT department head, its ecosystem and “one-fourth media,” which acts as cheerleaders for the BJP are desperately tying themselves in knots to somehow prove their allegation of ‘deep state’ and ‘foreign intervention’ with regards to ‘USD 21 million USAID funds narrative.’
“The white paper should not only focus on USAID funding, but all such agencies which fund both governments, individuals and all other entities under Indian law,” Congress’ media and publicity department head Pawan Khera told a press conference.
Khera pointed at “three significant developments,” including Trump’s remark about “my friend Prime Minister Modi.”
“More Indian news media outlets have fact-checked the claim by BJP and Modi government’s minister as untrue. Funds went to Bangladesh, not India; although India received USAID funds, but not for increasing voter turnout,” he said.
Now, an American newspaper, Washington Post, has come up with a fact check and “found no evidence that USD 21 million was due to be spent for voter turnout in India or for any other purpose”, even as the MEA spokesperson called this “very deeply troubling” and announced that “relevant departments and agencies are looking into this matter,” he said.
Khera alleged that the RSS-BJP and its ilk are “habitual offenders” in two aspects - crafting fake narratives and propagating lies and seeking external assistance to destabilise the Indian state, democracy and the Constitution.
Khera alleged that there is no record of a Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS) programme matching US government’s description in India.
CEPPS did have a USD 21 million USAID contract - not for India, but for neighboring Bangladesh, he said.
“During 2012, the Anna Hazare movement was at its peak, Arvind Kejriwal was forming his own party, Chief Minister Narendra Modi was gearing to be BJP’s PM candidate. So, who benefitted from these funds? Who got 282 seats in Lok Sabha? The remaining amount started pouring in between US FY2020 and US FY2024,” Khera said.
Putting forward the Congress’ demands, Khera said PM Modi must talk to “his friend, US President Trump” and strongly refute the allegation on him that America was about to give USD 21 million to him and India for increasing voter turnout.
“RSS-BJP and all their ecosystem actors making wild allegations to bolster their fake narrative against credible civil society members, NGOs, Political parties, must not only be named and shamed on public forums, but legal action must also be taken against them for spreading lies and misleading the nation,” he said.
Hitting back at Congress BJP leader Ajay Alok said the Congress people have probably lost their mind.
“We have already shown that the government got USD 2119 million between 2004-14 and just 1.5 million between 2014-25. We are shutting down these things. The Indian government is now acting, the US government has issued a list of who has got the money from where… this is part of a deep state. The Bharat Jodo Yatra was also being funded from this money,” Alok claimed.
