BJP Questions ‘External Interference’ as DOGE Cancels $21M Grant for India

Elon Musk’s DOGE canceled a $21 million grant for voter turnout in India, prompting BJP leaders to denounce it as external interference in elections. The cancellation follows broader cuts to foreign aid by the current administration. Criticism from BJP officials emphasizes concerns about foreign influence in India’s electoral processes, while supporters of CEPPS defend its role in fostering democratic practices globally.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, canceled a $21 million grant intended for the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS) aimed at enhancing voter turnout in India. This cancellation has prompted criticism from BJP leaders Amit Malviya and Rajeev Chandrasekhar, who linked it to alleged external interference in India’s electoral process. The DOGE indicated that funds dedicated to projects such as this are now ceased, raising concerns about the intentions behind such actions.

In a post on social media platform X, DOGE detailed that its decision to eliminate this grant was part of broader cuts to foreign aid initiated by the current administration, which began upon President Donald Trump’s return to office. The specifics of the parties or entities in India designated to receive the canceled funds remain undisclosed. Meanwhile, the official websites for both CEPPS and the USAID, which supported CEPPS, have been reported as inaccessible.

Amit Malviya, BJP’s national IT department head, responded critically, stating, “$21M for voter turnout? This definitely is external interference in India’s electoral process. Who gains from this? Not the ruling party for sure!” Rajeev Chandrasekhar further elaborated that this represents a troubling example of foreign involvement and questioned the sources of funding behind local protests and political activities in India.

CEPPS is a collaboration of several organizations, including the National Democratic Institute and the International Republican Institute, working globally to reinforce democratic practices. The organization emphasizes building democracies with the collaboration of various partners. Furthermore, it was established in 1995 and is funded through USAID initiatives, promoting democratic governance worldwide.

In light of the DOGE’s cancellation, Malviya referenced a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) in 2012, alleging that the Congress party had compromised India’s electoral integrity by permitting foreign entities to manage election systems. However, SY Quraishi, the former Chief Election Commissioner, refuted these claims, clarifying that the MoU did not entail any financial obligations and only aimed to provide training resources for election management.

Despite the controversy, the Election Commission of India had not commented on the matter when approached for clarification. Anthony Banbury, the CEO of IFES, recently participated in notable democratic summits, further emphasizing the international engagement in electoral processes.

The cancellation of the $21 million grant by DOGE has sparked significant political discourse regarding external influences in India’s electoral activities. While BJP officials criticized the decision as an example of foreign interference, officials like SY Quraishi clarified the intentions behind past agreements with international bodies. This situation highlights the complexities surrounding international funding and governance in democratic processes.

Original Source: indianexpress.com