US DOGE's Revelation On Cancelling $21 Million USAID For India's Voter Turnout Sparks Controversy: Here's How Parties Reacted

The claim by the United States (US) Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—headed by billionaire Elon Musk—that it has cancelled $21 million in US funds meant to influence voter turnout in India has triggered a wave of political reactions in the country.

The revelation has reignited debates on foreign interference in India’s electoral process, with leaders across the political spectrum weighing in.

‘Biggest Scam in Human History,’ Says PM’s Adviser

Reacting to the DOGE report, Sanjeev Sanyal, an economic adviser to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, launched a scathing attack on USAID, the US international development agency.

Describing it as the "biggest scam in human history," Sanyal questioned where the $21 million for voter turnout in India, $29 million for political landscape in Bangladesh, and $20 million for fiscal federalism in Nepal had gone.

"I would love to find out who received these funds. This is a clear attempt at external interference," he remarked, quoted as saying by NDTV emphasising concerns over the role of foreign agencies in India's democratic processes.

BJP Alleges ‘Soros Connection’ to Electoral Meddling

BJP’s Amit Malviya took the attack a step further, alleging that billionaire investor George Soros—a vocal critic of the Modi government—had a hand in these transactions.

"Once again, it is Soros, a known associate of Congress and the Gandhis, whose shadow looms over our electoral process," Malviya claimed, linking USAID’s activities to what he described as a broader attempt to manipulate Indian democracy from abroad.

Malviya also revived accusations against the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that a 2012 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the poll body under then-Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) S Y Quraishi handed control of India's elections to foreign interests.

BJP spokespersons Pradeep Bhandari and Nalin Kohli echoed similar concerns, with Kohli questioning, "Why would any US agency wish to give $21 million for election-related work in India? Would that not amount to interference in India's electoral process?", quoted as saying by NDTV.

Congress Hits Back: ‘Who Benefited from Foreign Interference?’

Congress leader Pawan Khera responded by turning the tables on the BJP, pointing out that in 2012, when the ECI reportedly received USAID funding, the ruling party was Congress, not BJP.

"By Amit Malviya’s logic, the ruling party (Congress) was sabotaging its own electoral prospects through external interference? And the opposition (BJP) won the 2014 election because of Soros and USAID?" Khera asked, mocking the BJP’s narrative.

Former CEC Rejects USAID Funding Claims

Meanwhile, former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi categorically denied any involvement of US agency funding in voter turnout initiatives during his tenure.

"The report in a section of media about an MoU by the ECI in 2012, when I was CEC, for funding of certain million dollars by a US agency for raising voter turnout in India does not have an iota of fact," Quraishi stated and quoted as saying by The Hindu, dismissing the allegations as baseless speculation.