US President Donald Trump has sparked a heated debate by questioning why the United States is spending millions of dollars on India's electoral process. His statement has fueled a major political storm in India, with the Modi Govt and opposition parties locking horns over the issue. Trump's remarks suggest that USAID, an American government agency, was involved in efforts that could influence India's elections.
This revelation comes at a crucial time when India's political landscape is already charged ahead of the upcoming elections. With the BJP defending its stance and opposition parties under scrutiny, Trump's comments have raised concerns about international interference in India's democratic process.
Donald Trump’s Explosive Claim - 'Why Spend $21 Million on India’s Voter Turnout?'
During an event in Miami, Trump strongly criticised the US government’s spending on foreign elections. He particularly targeted the USAID funding, questioning why $21 million was allocated to increase voter turnout in India. In a viral video shared on social media, Trump stated: "Why do we need to spend $21 million on voter turnout in India? I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected. We have got to tell the Indian Government... This is a total breakthrough."
His remarks have not only caught the attention of Indian political leaders but have also stirred discussions in international media. The timing of this revelation has intensified political battles, with accusations flying from both sides.
BJP Accuses Opposition of Benefiting from Foreign Funding
Following Trump's statement, the ruling BJP has hit out at opposition parties, particularly the Congress, over possible foreign influence in Indian elections. BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya shared the video on X (formerly Twitter) and highlighted the controversial funding details. He emphasised that such financial involvement from external agencies could be a direct attempt to interfere in India’s democratic process.
Malviya also pointed out that the US government’s Election and Political Process Strengthening Fund allocated $486 million across different countries. This included $22 million for Moldova’s political process and $21 million for voter turnout in India.
He questioned the intent behind this funding, stating: "Who will benefit from this? Certainly not the ruling party!"
As the controversy deepens, all eyes are now on the unfolding developments. In the coming days, the truth behind who the mastermind is will become clearer, keeping the BJP, opposition leaders and international observers on edge.