GUWAHATI: US President Donald Trump on Saturday reiterated his assertion that USAID's $21 million fund was meant for ‘voter turnout’ in India, but which has been cancelled by his administration.
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“USD 21 million going to my friend Prime Minister Modi in India for voter turnout. We are giving $21 million for voter turnout in India, what about us? I want voter turnout too, Governor…$29 million to strengthen political landscape in Bangladesh went to a firm that nobody ever heard of,” the US President told governors in a video shared by National Desk, according to reports.
The charge has triggered a spat between the Congress and the BJP.
However, the Washington Post reported that there was no record of any programme as stated by the US President, giving the Congress fresh ammo to target the BJP. The American daily, in its report titled 'How a false DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) claim ignited a political firestorm in India', however, said the USAID had a $21 million contract for Bangladesh, citing officials of the organisation.
The Washington Post report backs a similar article by the Indian Express, which claimed that India has received no funding from USAID for any poll-related project since 2008. The Express article has been at the centre of a political feud between the BJP and the Congress.
Latching on to the Washington Post report, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said the "BJP and its blind supporters" would have to eat their words following the expose. The BJP has accused Congress MP Rahul Gandhi of seeking foreign help to defeat Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
This is the third straight remark by Trump on the $21 million fund controversy.
On Friday, the Republican leader questioned the fund as a “kickback scheme”, saying,"USD 21 million for voter turnout in India. Why are we caring about India's turnout? We have got enough problems. We want our own turnout. I would say in many cases, many of these cases, anytime you have no idea what we’re talking about, that means there’s a kickback because nobody has any idea what’s going on there."
Friday's remark followed Trump's big hint on alleged interference in India's election.
“21 million dollars in voter turnout - why do we need to spend 21 million for voter turnout in India? I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected. We have got to tell the Indian Government... Because when we hear that Russia spent about two thousand dollars in our country, it was a big deal. They took some internet ads for two thousand dollars. This is a total breakthrough,” Trump had said in Florida.
Meanwhile, Ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal is reported to have said said, "Relevant departments and authorities are looking into the information put out by the American administration regarding certain US activities and funding. We have seen information that has been put out by the US administration regarding certain US activities and funding. These are obviously very deeply troubling."
