February 17, 2025: A controversial claim by the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by the world's wealthiest individual, Elon Musk, has sparked a political firestorm in India. The DOGE announced that it had cancelled US funds meant for influencing "voter turnout in India," drawing sharp criticism from Sanjeev Sanyal, adviser to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who called the USAID agency the "biggest scam in human history."

The DOGE, tasked with scrutinizing US funding for international humanitarian causes under the Biden administration, stated that it had halted several aid projects, including $21 million meant for boosting "voter turnout in India." Additional cuts were made to $29 million intended for "strengthening the political landscape" in Bangladesh and $20 million designated for "fiscal federalism" in Nepal.

USAID, the largest US government humanitarian agency, has faced growing scrutiny from DOGE, which is part of a broader initiative to reduce federal spending under the Trump-era crackdown. The latest revelation regarding the "voter turnout" funds allocated to India has become a point of contention, with political leaders in India raising alarms over foreign interference in the nation's democratic processes.

Sanjeev Sanyal, a prominent economist and member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, questioned the origins and recipients of the $21 million earmarked for India. “I would love to find out who received the US$21mn spent to improve voter turnout in India,” Sanyal remarked. He further criticized the USAID’s involvement, calling it a massive, unaddressed issue with global implications.

Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) SY Quraishi swiftly dismissed the claim as “baseless,” asserting that an MoU signed with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) in 2012 during his tenure did not involve any financial aid. Quraishi clarified that the agreement was solely for training purposes and did not include any funds for voter turnout projects.

Meanwhile, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has seized on the issue, with national spokesperson Amit Malviya accusing foreign entities of attempting to meddle in India’s elections. Malviya highlighted the alleged systematic infiltration of Indian institutions by global forces, pointing fingers at billionaire financier George Soros and his perceived network of influence.

This development has intensified the ongoing debate over foreign aid and its potential implications on India’s political and electoral sovereignty.