The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the Congress party of seeking foreign funds to stop Prime Minister Narendra Modi from coming to power in 2014. This statement comes a day after US President Donald Trump questioned why the US government had provided $21 million to India for "voter turnout."

The Congress Party has called these claims "nonsensical" and demanded that the government release a white paper detailing funds received from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

BJP claims foreign funding benefitted Congress

BJP sources said that during the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, India received a large amount of foreign funding. According to them, from 2004 to 2014, the Indian government received $204.28 million from USAID, while non-governmental organisations (NGOs) received $2114.96 million. However, after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by Modi came to power, these funds reportedly decreased significantly.

The government funding dropped to $1 million between 2014 and 2015. However, the funding for NGOs increased to $2579.73 million. BJP leaders claim this shows that foreign money shifted towards NGOs that opposed the Modi government.

The BJP also pointed out that George Soros's Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) received $47 million. They accused OCCRP of creating reports that Congress later used to attack the NDA government.

Congress demands a white paper on Foreign Funds

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh responded to these allegations by asking the government to release a White Paper. He wrote on X:

"USAID is very much in the news these days. It was set up on November 3, 1961. Claims being made by the US President are typically nonsensical, to say the least. Even so, the Govt of India should bring out a White Paper at the earliest detailing USAID's support to both governmental and non-governmental institutions in India over the decades."

Meanwhile, Trump has questioned the US decision to send $21 million to India for voter turnout. He asked, "Why do we need to spend USD 21 million for voter turnout in India? I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected."

The controversy continues as both parties demand explanations and clarity on foreign funding in India.

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