Trump’s ‘Voter Turnout Funds’ Remark Fuels BJP-Congress Clash Over Foreign Influence

Trump Claims $21 Million Was Given to India; Media Reports Say Otherwise

In a fresh political controversy, U.S. President Donald Trump has, for the third consecutive day, reiterated his claim that $21 million was allocated to India for “voter turnout” via the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

“We are giving $21 million for voter turnout in India. What about us? I want voter turnout too,” Trump said during a debate on USAID funding.

His remarks come despite a media report clarifying that these funds were actually allocated to Bangladesh in 2022, not India. The claim has fueled an intense political battle between India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress Party over alleged foreign influence in Indian elections.

Congress and BJP Clash Over Foreign Funding Allegations

The controversy began when Trump claimed that USAID had funded voter turnout efforts in India, a statement that Congress quickly dismissed as misinformation. The fact-check report by The Indian Express stated that:

• The $21 million fund was actually for Bangladesh, allocated in 2022.
• Of this amount, $13.4 million has already been used for “political and civic engagement” projects, primarily focused on students involved in protests before Bangladesh’s January 2024 elections.

Using this report, Congress rejected BJP’s accusations, with senior leader Pawan Khera accusing the BJP of making “anti-national” claims without verifying facts.

“Isn’t it anti-national of the BJP to immediately start pointing fingers at the opposition without first verifying facts?” Khera asked.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also joined the attack, sharing the media report to counter BJP’s narrative.

BJP Seizes on Trump’s Remarks, Calls Out Opposition

On the other hand, the BJP has doubled down on Trump’s statement, using it to allege foreign involvement in India’s elections. Sharing Trump’s video on X (formerly Twitter), BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya criticized the opposition’s response.

“For the third day in a row, US President Donald Trump reiterates his claim about USAID funding efforts to promote voter turnout in India. But what does he know about his own country’s spending? The Indian Express and the deranged Left think they know better!” Malviya wrote.

The BJP’s stance was further strengthened on February 16, when the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced that it had “canceled multiple foreign aid initiatives,” including a supposed $21 million grant for voter turnout in India. This allowed BJP to continue attacking Congress, suggesting that the opposition might have benefitted from external financial support.

What’s Next? Political Fallout and Implications

This controversy has triggered a larger debate on foreign influence in Indian elections and the credibility of political funding accusations. While Trump’s claims have not been backed by official USAID records, they have provided fresh ammunition to the BJP ahead of the upcoming elections.

Highlights:

• Trump claims, for the third day in a row, that $21 million was given to India for voter turnout.
• Media reports clarify that the fund was actually allocated to Bangladesh in 2022.
• Congress rejects BJP’s accusations and criticizes it for spreading misinformation.
• BJP seizes on Trump’s remarks to allege foreign interference in India’s elections.
• U.S. DOGE announces cancellation of foreign aid initiatives, adding fuel to the debate.

With elections approaching, this issue is likely to remain a major political flashpoint, as both parties attempt to leverage the controversy to their advantage.