The United States Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE<\/a>), led by Elon Musk<\/a>, has cancelled a $21 million US taxpayer-funded grant – under former President Joe Biden’s administration – meant to influence “voter turnout in India.” In its announcement, DOGE highlighted that the $21 million was part of a larger $486 million budget allocated to the “Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Another $29 million was slated for “strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh” – a country that witnessed political turmoil amid allegations of US ‘deep state’ involvement in the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Musk-led department revealed that other taxpayer-funded projects also faced the axe, including:<\/p>\n US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all which have been cancelled: \u2014 Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) February 15, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The sweeping cancellations, Mr Musk’s department stated, were part of efforts to improve government efficiency and ensure taxpayer dollars were not being spent on “questionable” overseas political activities.<\/p>\n The BJP termed the now-cancelled funding “external interference” in India’s electoral process.<\/p>\n “$21M for voter turnout? This definitely is external interference in India’s electoral process. Who gains from this? Not the ruling party for sure!” said BJP national spokesperson Amit Malviya in a statement\u00a0<\/p>\n Mr Malviya further alleged “systematic infiltration” of Indian institutions by foreign forces, particularly targeting billionaire investor and philanthropist George Soros<\/a> and his alleged network of global influence through his Open Society Foundation.<\/p>\n “Once again, it is George Soros, a known associate of the Congress party and the Gandhis, whose shadow looms over our electoral process,” Mr Malviya claimed.<\/p>\n Once again, it is George Soros, a known associate of the Congress party and the Gandhis, whose shadow looms over our electoral process.<\/p>\n In 2012, under the leadership of S.Y. Quraishi, the Election Commission signed an MoU with The International Foundation for Electoral\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/PO13Iyroee<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/gdgAQoDbPh<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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\n– $10M for “Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision”
\n– $9.7M for UC Berkeley to develop “a cohort of Cambodian youth with enterprise driven skills”
\n– $2.3M for “strengthening\u2026<\/p>\nBJP’s “External Interference” Response<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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