Congress in Damage Control Mode! Demands White Paper on USAID Funding After Trump's Explosive Revelation On PM Modi

US President Donald Trump has sent shockwaves through Indian politics with his recent claim that USAID allocated $21 million to influence India’s voter turnout. His remarks, suggesting possible foreign interference in India's elections, have triggered a massive debate between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress.

While the BJP sees Trump’s statement as proof of an international attempt to weaken the Modi Govt, the Congress has dismissed the claims as “nonsensical”. However, under mounting pressure, the party has now demanded a White Paper from the Indian government detailing USAID’s funding history in India.

Congress Calls Trump’s Claims Baseless, But Seeks White Paper

The Congress has denied allegations that foreign funding played any role in influencing elections in India. Party leader Jairam Ramesh brushed off Donald Trump’s statement, calling it an exaggeration. However, he insisted that the Modi Govt should release a White Paper detailing the financial support received from USAID over the years.

"USAID is in the news these days. It was set up on November 3, 1961. The claims being made by the US President are typically nonsensical, to say the least. Even so, the Government of India should release a White Paper at the earliest, detailing USAID’s funding to both governmental and non-governmental institutions in India over the decades," Ramesh said.

BJP Accuses Congress of Seeking Foreign Help in Elections

The BJP alleged that the opposition has often relied on foreign support to interfere in India’s democracy. BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad strongly condemned the alleged funding, calling it a direct attack on India's electoral integrity.

"When people don’t vote for them (Congress), they resort to conspiracies, using foreign money to influence India’s elections. They malign India’s democracy, and we strongly condemn this," Prasad said at a press conference in Delhi.

He also pointed fingers at Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of repeatedly seeking international backing to counter PM Modi.

"Donald Trump has now confirmed what we always said. Rahul Gandhi has cried for foreign help in Indian elections because he was not getting votes. The party that claims to follow Mahatma Gandhi’s ideology has stooped to such levels—it is truly shameful," he added.

The BJP further argued that Trump’s revelation validates PM Modi’s claims during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he had warned that foreign forces were trying to prevent his return to power.