DOGE Cancels $21 Million Grant: BJP Claims External Interference in Indian Elections
Elon Musk’s US DOGE canceled a $21 million grant to CEPPS aimed at boosting voter turnout in India, provoking BJP leaders to accuse the Congress of allowing foreign interference in elections. BPM officials are calling for investigations into potential funding influences. The ECI’s past agreements with international organizations are being scrutinized amid these allegations, as former officials defend their integrity.
The US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has annulled a $21 million grant intended for the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS) to enhance voter turnout in India. This decision has led to criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with Amit Malviya and Rajeev Chandrasekhar alleging external interference in India’s electoral processes and questioning the motives behind such funding.
In a statement on X, DOGE highlighted that US taxpayer funds were earmarked for various initiatives, including the scrapped $21 million aimed at voter participation in India. Furthermore, a total of $486 million aimed at multiple international democratic processes has been cancelled. Details regarding specific Indian entities or stakeholders that would have received this grant were not disclosed.
BJP leaders expressed strong concerns regarding the implications of this grant’s cancellation. Malviya criticized it as blatant external influence on Indian elections, claiming it benefits neither the ruling nor opposition parties. Chandrasekhar called attention to what he termed “smoking gun of Interference” and called for an investigation into the flow of funds and the influence on India’s democratic processes.
CEPPS, a non-profit consortium tapped by USAID, has positioned itself to promote democratic transitions globally. Its funding is crucial for the organization, which operates alongside notable international partners. CEPPS aims to collaborate with various global and local stakeholders to foster accountable democracies. The foundation outlines that it was created independently with financial support from USAID for democracy and governance programming.
Critical voices from the BJP have revived scrutiny over a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in 2012 between IFES and the Election Commission of India (ECI). They allege that Congress had compromised the integrity of India’s electoral institutions. SY Quraishi, the former Chief Election Commissioner, defended the MoU, clarifying that it contained no financial obligations, thus disputing claims of foreign interference.
The cancellation of the $21 million grant by US DOGE has ignited a political debate in India regarding external influence in electoral processes. BJP leaders have labeled this as a concerning interference, while former officials argue that established agreements with international organizations were meant for knowledge sharing and did not involve financial commitments. The implications of this decision may affect future foreign assistance and perceptions of electoral integrity in India.
Original Source: indianexpress.com
