Washington post debunks Trump's India funding claim, Congress hits back at BJP

A recent report by The Washington Post has refuted former U.S. President Donald Trump's claim that $21 million was given to India to boost voter turnout. Instead, the American newspaper clarified that the funds were actually allocated to Bangladesh under a USAID contract. This revelation has sparked a fresh political clash in India, with the Congress party using it to target the BJP.

No USAID Record of Election Funding for India

The Washington Post, citing U.S. officials familiar with USAID programs, stated that there was no record of any election-related funding for India. The report supports a similar claim made by The Indian Express, which confirmed that India has not received USAID funding for any poll-related projects since 2008.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera was quick to respond, criticizing the BJP and its supporters for spreading misinformation. "With this expose, the BJP and its blind followers will have to eat their words. Who else will face embarrassment after this comedy of errors?" Khera tweeted.

How the Controversy Started

The controversy began when DOGE, an organization led by Elon Musk, falsely claimed that the U.S. had canceled a $21 million grant meant to increase voter turnout in India. This claim, which has no supporting evidence, was repeated by Donald Trump, who accused the Biden administration of trying to influence India's 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Trump stated, "Why are we spending $21 million to increase voter turnout in India? Looks like they wanted someone else to win. We need to inform the Indian government."

However, U.S. officials have dismissed these allegations, stating that no such program exists. One official quoted in the Washington Post report said, "We were shocked to see that claim from DOGE. We have never been involved in India's elections."

Political Fallout in India

The BJP, which has accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of seeking foreign interference, now finds itself in a tough spot as Congress uses the Washington Post's findings to counterattack. With elections approaching, this political spat is expected to intensify.

As the debate rages on, the Washington Post’s report has added a new twist to an already heated discussion, challenging the credibility of Trump's claims and providing Congress with ammunition to go after the BJP.