BJP Slams Congress Over Alleged US Funding to Influence Indian Elections, Raises Questions on Foreign Grants

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress after reports surfaced that the United States, through its foreign aid agency USAID, had allocated $21 million in 2012 to enhance voter turnout in India. The revelation has sparked political controversy, with BJP leaders questioning foreign influence in India’s electoral process.

Addressing a press conference, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi accused the Congress of being involved with external powers receiving foreign grants to “influence” and “trouble” Indian elections. “We want to ask the Congress clearly… who are these powers that seem to be getting economic grants for influencing and creating trouble in the election process in India?” Trivedi questioned.

He further alleged that an organisation called ‘The International Foundation for Electoral Systems’ (IFES) signed an agreement in 2011 with the India International Institute of Election Management, an organisation linked to the Election Commission of India (ECI). According to Trivedi, this partnership had backing from the “Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening,” which he claimed has links with George Soros’ Open Society Foundation.

Trivedi asserted that Soros’ foundation invested half a billion dollars in India through USAID and other channels, with $3.5 lakh reportedly flowing into India annually since then. The BJP has also pointed to a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between IFES and the ECI, alleging that former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi was involved in the foreign funding controversy.

“Views of (George) Soros and Uncle Sam (Pitroda) are similar. Whatever Sam Pitroda has said… it appears that the lyrics are by Sam Pitroda and the music is composed by Soros, while Congress and the INDI alliance are playing the symphony,” Trivedi remarked, taking a dig at the opposition.

Meanwhile, the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has announced that it is cutting millions of dollars in foreign funding, including the $21 million allocated to India’s voter turnout program and a $29 million initiative aimed at strengthening Bangladesh’s political landscape.