The United States Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), spearheaded by entrepreneur and billionaire Elon Musk, has axed a controversial $21 million taxpayer-funded grant that was designed to boost “voter turnout in India.”
This allocation was merely a fragment of a staggering $486 million budget under the “Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening” initiative approved during the Biden regime.
But that wasn’t all. DOGE’s latest findings revealed that another $29 million had been designated for “strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh”, a country that recently witnessed significant political upheaval amid allegations of U.S. ‘deep state’ involvement in orchestrating the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, according to NDTV.
The Musk-led department confirmed that several other overseas projects funded by U.S. taxpayers have also been axed.
Below is the full list:
- $486 million to the “Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening”, including:
- $22 million for an “inclusive and participatory political process” in Moldova
- $21 million for voter turnout efforts in India
- $47 million for “improving learning outcomes in Asia”
- $40 million for a “gender equality and women empowerment hub”
- $32 million to the Prague Civil Society Centre
- $29 million for “strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh“
- $20 million for “fiscal federalism” in Nepal
- $19 million for “biodiversity conservation” in Nepal
- $14 million for “social cohesion” in Mali
- $14 million for “improving public procurement” in Serbia
- $10 million for “Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision”
- $9.7 million for UC Berkeley to develop “a cohort of Cambodian youth with enterprise-driven skills”
- $2.5 million for “inclusive democracies in Southern Africa“
- $2.3 million for “strengthening independent voices in Cambodia“
- $2 million to develop “sustainable recycling models” to “increase socio-economic cohesion among marginalized communities of Kosovo Roma, Ashkali, and Egypt“
- $1.5 million for “voter confidence” in Liberia
US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all which have been cancelled:
– $10M for “Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision”
– $9.7M for UC Berkeley to develop “a cohort of Cambodian youth with enterprise driven skills”
– $2.3M for “strengthening…— Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) February 15, 2025
The revelation has ignited a political firestorm in India, where the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) slammed the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) for what they called an attempt to manipulate India’s electoral process with foreign funding, Livemint reported.
“Why would any US agency wish to give $21 million for election-related work in India? Would that not amount to interference in India’s electoral process? We are the world’s largest democracy. Free and fair elections are held here. Institutionally there are mechanisms that ensure free and fair elections including the Election Commission of India,” BJP leader Nalin, Kohli told news agency ANI.
The Congress Party, India’s main opposition, fired back, calling the allegations laughable.
Amit Malviya, an Indian politician serving as the national convener of the IT cell of the Bharatiya Janata Party, said that the $21 million for voter turnout in India is “definitely external interference in India’s electoral process… Who gains from this? Not the ruling party for sure.”
– $486M to the “Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening,” including $22M for “inclusive and participatory political process” in Moldova and $21M for voter turnout in India.
$21M for voter turnout? This definitely is external interference in India’s electoral… https://t.co/DsTJhh9J2J
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) February 15, 2025
In a separate post, Malviya pointed the finger at George Soros, a known associate of the Congress Party and the Gandhis, alleging his shadow looms over India’s elections.
“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.
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.
It is becoming increasingly evident that the Congress-led UPA systematically enabled the infiltration of India’s institutions by forces opposed to the nation’s interests—those who seek to weaken India at every opportunity.”
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… https://t.co/PO13Iyroee pic.twitter.com/gdgAQoDbPh
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) February 16, 2025
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