Trump Sparks Controversy Over $21 Million Claim; Congress Targets PM Modi

Congress Targets PM Modi After Trump’s $21 Million Claim: A Political Storm Brews
In a recent address, U.S. President Donald Trump sparked controversy by claiming that $21 million was allocated for voter turnout in India, stating it was going to his “friend” Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This assertion has ignited a political firestorm in India, with the opposition Congress party seizing on the remarks to question the integrity of India’s electoral process.

Background: The Controversy Unfolds
The controversy began when President Trump mentioned during a governors’ meeting that $21 million was being spent on voter turnout in India.

He questioned why such funds were being used abroad when similar efforts could be made domestically to boost U.S. voter turnout.

This claim quickly gained traction and became a focal point of political debate in India.

Congress Reaction
Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal swiftly responded by urging Prime Minister Modi to heed Trump’s remarks on paper ballots and same-day voting as a means to address concerns about electoral integrity.

Venugopal highlighted anomalies like an unusual increase in voters and deletions of opposition votes, suggesting these issues warrant attention from both leaders.

Moreover, Pawan Khera from Congress ridiculed BJP supporters for believing unfounded claims about USAID funding after The Washington Post debunked them.

He emphasized that BJP’s stance reflects their reluctance towards transparency.

USAID Funding Claims: Contrary to President Trump’s assertions, The Washington Post revealed no evidence supporting the claim that USAID allocated funds specifically for increasing voter turnout in India. Instead, they found that similar funding went towards projects in Bangladesh.

Implications for Indian Politics:

This episode highlights ongoing tensions between BJP and Congress regarding foreign interference allegations and electoral transparency:

Electoral Integrity Concerns: The debate over EVMs versus paper ballots continues with many questioning whether electronic voting machines can be manipulated.

Foreign Interference Allegations: Both parties have accused each other of seeking foreign assistance or influence—BJP claims opposition involvement with international agencies while Congress points out past associations between government figures and foreign entities.

Political Slugfest: Amidst these allegations, both sides are using social media platforms aggressively to sway public opinion.