US President Donald Trump has justified the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) decision to withdraw a $21 million fund initially allocated for voter turnout efforts in India. Speaking at Mar-a-Lago while signing executive orders, Trump questioned the rationale behind the funding, highlighting India’s economic strength and high taxation policies.
“Why are we giving $21 million to India? They have a lot more money. They are one of the highest-taxing countries in the world in terms of us; we can hardly get in there because their tariffs are so high. I have a lot of respect for India and their Prime Minister, but giving $21 million for voter turnout?” Trump stated, as quoted by ANI.
DOGE Cancels Funding Citing Taxpayer Interests
On February 16, DOGE, under the leadership of Elon Musk, officially scrapped the $21 million initiative aimed at boosting voter participation in India. The department posted on X, listing the budget cuts, emphasizing that US taxpayer funds were being redirected from projects deemed unnecessary.
“US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all of which have been cancelled,” DOGE announced, noting the elimination of the India voter turnout fund.
Political Uproar in India
The decision sparked a political storm in India, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) targeting the opposition Congress over alleged foreign influence in the country’s democratic processes.
BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya accused the Congress-led UPA of enabling external interference. “It is becoming increasingly evident that the Congress systematically allowed the infiltration of India’s institutions by forces working against national interests. George Soros, a known associate of the Congress party and the Gandhis, continues to cast his shadow over our electoral process,” Malviya alleged in a post on X.
Congress Calls for Probe
Under attack from the BJP, the Congress distanced itself from any foreign involvement in India’s elections and demanded an investigation. Senior Congress leader Ajay Maken stated, “The Congress party firmly opposes any foreign intervention in India’s democratic process. Such interference is unacceptable and should be condemned. We demand a thorough probe into the matter.”
The controversy continues to fuel heated political debates, with both parties using the issue to strengthen their respective narratives ahead of the upcoming elections.
