Elon Musk-led DOGE cancels $22 million intended for 'voter turnout in India'; BJP says, 'Who gains from this? NOT...'

The US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk has announced cancelling a USD 22 million funding intended for "voter turnout in India" on Saturday (Local Time).

In a post on X, the official DOGE handle listed the number of spendings by the US taxpayer that have been cancelled, including “USD 21M for voter turnout in India.”

"US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all of which have been cancelled," the Musk led department announced.

Other funding cancelled by the US department included, USD 10 million for “Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision.”

"USD 486M to the 'Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening,' including USD 22M for an 'inclusive and participatory political process' in Moldova and USD 21M for voter turnout in India," DOGE said.

A USD 29 million intended for "strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh" and a USD 39 million for "fiscal federalism" and "biodiversity conservation" in Nepal was also cancelled.

Similarly, USD 1.5 million for "voter confidence" in Liberia, USD 14 million for "social cohesion" in Mali, USD 2.5 million for "inclusive democracies in Southern Africa," and USD 47 million for "improving learning outcomes in Asia" were also cancelled by DOGE.

‘Who gains from this?’ BJP questions

Commenting on DOGE claim of ‘USD 21M for voter turnout in India’, BJP's Amit Malviya took to X and said, "$21M for voter turnout? This definitely is external interference in India's electoral process. Who gains from this? Not the ruling party for sure!"

In another post, Malviya shared a 2012 report which stated, “EC signs MoU with IFES on election management.” The BJP leader slammed accused George Soros of having significant influence over India's electoral process, suggesting a connection between Soros and Congress as well as the Gandhi family.

He wrote, “Once again, it is George Soros, a known associate of the Congress party and the Gandhis, whose shadow looms over our electoral process. In 2012, under the leadership of S.Y. Quraishi, the Election Commission signed an MoU with The International Foundation for Electoral Systems—an organization linked to George Soros’s Open Society Foundation, which is primarily funded by USAID.”

He further added, “Ironically, those questioning the transparent and inclusive process of appointing India’s Election Commissioner—a first in our democracy, where previously the Prime Minister alone made the decision—had no hesitation in handing over the entire Election Commission of India to foreign operators."

This comes as DOGE has continued to outline significant changes in government spending over the last few weeks.

The effort by what the Donald Trump administration calls the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, is intended to cut government costs drastically but has sought access to critical computer systems, including the Treasury payment system, at the objection of others in the agencies, as CNN previously reported.

Modi-Trump meet Highlights

PM Modi's US visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with US President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, DC, on Friday (Indian time) to discuss strengthening the India-US bilateral partnership across various sectors.

During the meeting, PM Modi and Trump discussed various issues, including trade, defence, technology, energy, security, and people-to-people ties. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest.

Not just this, the two leaders also discussed $500 billion trade by 2030, deportation row, extradition of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana to India, F-35 fighter jets to India, MIGA meets MAGA, Indo-China Issue, Russia-Ukraine War among others.

(With inputs from ANI)