US President Donald Trump has once again stirred controversy by criticizing the allocation of $21 million in USAID funding to India in 2012 for “voter turnout,” calling it a “kickback scheme.” Speaking at a gathering of Republican state governors, Trump questioned why US taxpayer money was used for India’s elections and suggested that such funds are often misused. He also raised concerns about grants provided to Bangladesh, labeling them as unnecessary expenditures. While he offered no concrete evidence for his claims, his remarks have fueled political debates in both the US and India, with opposition leaders and analysts questioning the motives behind these statements.
In India, Trump’s remarks have been seized upon by the BJP to attack the Congress party and its leader, Rahul Gandhi. BJP leaders, including Amit Malviya and Pradeep Bhandari, have alleged that the USAID funds were used to support “deep-state assets” and indirectly benefited the Congress. Malviya claimed that these funds were used to sustain individuals who work to “defend and deflect” such revelations, while Bhandari insisted on an investigation into whether the Congress was a beneficiary of these funds. The controversy has reignited the political battle between the two parties, with the BJP attempting to link the issue to previous accusations that Gandhi sought foreign intervention in India’s democratic processes.
The Congress, on the other hand, has denied all allegations and demanded a comprehensive investigation into the USAID funding. Party leaders have called for a White Paper to track the flow and usage of these funds in India. Meanwhile, the BJP has also attempted to connect the funding issue to billionaire philanthropist George Soros, alleging that USAID funds were used to spread “anti-India narratives” before elections. The cancellation of USAID funding by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has added another layer to the dispute, with both parties using it as political ammunition. As the debate intensifies, the controversy is expected to remain a focal point in the ongoing rivalry between the BJP and Congress.
