By Sushil Kutty
Why did the $21 million allocated by USAID fail to achieve the intended regime change in India, replace Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and install a more favorable leader? This is a question that should be raised by US President Donald Trump, as the funds originated from American taxpayers, and both President Trump and Elon Musk, who heads DOGE, must ensure these hard-earned dollars are returned to the American public.
President Trump and Musk have even suggested that $5000 could be distributed to each American from the funds recovered from DOGE. Doesn’t that echo Modi’s pledge of Rs 15 lakh from illicit money uncovered by his government for every Indian citizen?
Modi’s commitment remains unfulfilled, and a decade later, there is still no sign of the Rs 15 lakh to each Indian. Remember, there have been two full Modi inaugurations since that promise was made.
Can Trump be trusted? Perhaps, but there are these ongoing discussions about the $21 million intended to “elect someone else,” and Trump wants Modi to take note of this issue. Suddenly, many people are expressing concerns over undefined individuals allegedly plotting against Prime Minister Modi.
These individuals seem incredulous that there are people who have no interest in protecting Prime Minister Modi but possess ample funds and time to hatch plots against him.
However, without the insightful intervention of President Trump, that devious plan might have succeeded. Elon Musk, a man who cannot be easily influenced, along with Trump, has exposed the attempt to oust Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Devious actors with sinister intentions and dubious schemes akin to those of aspiring dictators. President Trump has only just begun to unravel the “American deep state,” part of which appears to have an Indian counterpart. Has Trump, by unveiling the $21 million allocated to boost voter turnout in India, stirred a controversy? “Why are we spending $21 million on voter turnout in India? It seems the Biden administration was attempting to influence an alternate election outcome. We need to inform the Indian government. This is a significant revelation,” Trump remarked.
Thus, Prime Minister Modi visited the White House and received direct information about the “$21 million scheme.” In another context, Trump’s actions might be labeled as snitching, but his primary allegiance seems to be with Musk-led DOGE, which has decided to withdraw the $21 million grant for “voter turnout” in India.
This $21 million is part of a more extensive $723 million foreign aid budget that DOGE plans to reduce. President Trump has clarified that Musk is not a governmental employee and that anyone can refer to Musk as “anybody.”
“Why are we providing $21 million to India? They have more than enough funds themselves,” President Trump commented, leaving Modi’s ‘Godi Media’ in disbelief that anyone would try to “Out” Prime Minister Modi out of all people.
One news outlet noted: “India spends more on elections than the United States and sees better voter turnout,” prompting the question, so what’s the fuss? India expended Rs 1.35 lakh crore during the 2024 general elections, translating to $16.2 billion. The expenditure for the 2024 US Presidential election was $15.9 billion, including congressional races.
Is there not a distinction between voter turnout, voter awareness, and voter participation? Doesn’t India’s Election Commission possess a budget for managing elections? Isn’t there funding for training poll officials, mobilizing voters, and ensuring security? Doesn’t enhancing voter awareness contribute to higher turnout rates?
Moreover, doesn’t incentivizing voter turnout edge into corrupt practices; using unethical means to secure electoral victories? Political parties already conduct campaigns to attract votes. The very essence of elections is to facilitate voter participation. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections reported a voter turnout of 65.79%, while the USA encountered a significantly lower turnout.
The ‘Godi Media’ demands to know who “received the funds,” and through which means? There is no need for speculation; the prominent channel recognized by all is USAID, established in 1961 and responsible for approximately 70% of the total US external funding. Questions arise as to why there is such generosity toward Indian recipients? Several alleged beneficiaries in the media are rumored to be thriving on USAID funding.
However, answers seem to be elusive, flowing only from the United States, with no Indian commentary. Indian investigators remain silent or are unable to discuss the matter. What is NSA Ajit Doval’s role in this situation? The Modi administration appears unable to navigate this puzzle and complexity. The Modi leadership, along with its numerous spokespersons, seems at a loss regarding who may be plotting and what the situation entails.
The fundamental question persists: how were the USAID funds funneled into Indian accounts? With President Trump and ‘presidential advisor’ Elon Musk actively addressing the DOGE issue, the USAID website seems to be malfunctioning, currently showing no “programs running in India,” while there are ongoing projects in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.
The media hints at widespread corruption; nevertheless, as with various matters it engages with, the Government of India appears unfazed. One former Chief Election Commissioner expressed astonishment, dismissing all allegations of the Election Commission engaging in any financial dealings with USAID, including initiatives aimed at enhancing voter turnout.
Yet, the lingering inquiry remains, to whom was the money allocated? “I would love to find out who received the $21 million designated to enhance ‘voter turnout in India’… USAID is the most significant scam in human history,” remarked economist Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, on ‘X’.
Sanyal ought to pose that question to his ‘Boss’ instead of behaving as though he is both oblivious and uninformed. The answers must originate from the Modi government. President Donald Trump ought to insist and pursue the matter relentlessly! Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “best friend” has a responsibility to the American people, if not to the people of India. (IPA Service)
