Rush Hour: Report says US poll funds meant for Bangladesh, Centre hits back at TN over NEP & more

The United States government did not allocate $21 million for “voter turnout” in India but for a civic engagement project in Bangladesh, The Indian Express has reported, citing US federal spending records. The confusion arose after US President Donald Trump alleged that USAID, under Joe Biden’s leadership, may have attempted to influence Indian elections, prompting Bharatiya Janata Party leaders to accuse the Congress of colluding with foreign entities.

Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, led by billionaire Elon Musk, recently cancelled several USAID grants, including $486 million to the non-profit Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening, which works globally on matters of electoral democracy. Federal records showed no CEPPS funding in India since 2008, The Indian Express reported.

The BJP’s Amit Malviya claimed that a 2012 Election Commission pact with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems – a part of CEPPS – was evidence of external election interference as suggested by Trump. Former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi dismissed this, stating that no funds were involved in the project.

The Congress said Trump’s were remarks baseless and demanded transparency on USAID’s India grants. Party leader Pawan Khera said that “Modiji’s best friend Trump had perhaps intentionally or unintentionally made a faux pas”. The Ministry of External Affairs, meanwhile, said that allegations about…

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