The situation surrounding the $21 million U.S. aid for voter participation in India involving USAID's former chief Veena Reddy

 

Who received this funding…,’ The situation surrounding the $21 million U.S. aid for voter participation in India involving USAID's former chief Veena Reddy

The debate regarding the U.S. support of $21 million to India aimed at increasing voter turnout has escalated, with BJP MP Mahesh Jethmalani raising questions about Veena Reddy's involvement with USAID.

In light of the controversy regarding the U.S. funding for "voter turnout" in India, Veena Reddy, who previously led USAID's India mission, found herself under scrutiny after BJP MP Mahesh Jethmalani questioned her actions.

Jethmalani remarked, "It seems DOGE has found that USAID set aside $21 million for ‘voter turnout’ in India, which is a term that suggests compensating voters for their participation to influence government change. Veena Reddy was assigned to head the USAID mission in India in 2021 (suspiciously?), and following the Lok Sabha elections in 2024 (presumably completing her voter turnout objectives), she returned to the U.S. It’s unfortunate because investigation agencies here could have inquired about whom this funding was directed towards for voter turnout efforts."

Who is Veena Reddy?

Veena Reddy, a U.S. diplomat, became part of USAID’s India operations on August 5, 2021. Originating from Andhra Pradesh, she announced her departure back to the U.S. on July 17, 2024, shortly after the Lok Sabha elections concluded.

Prior to her tenure with the U.S. Foreign Service, Reddy served as a corporate lawyer in New York, London, and Los Angeles. She earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Columbia Law School along with an MA and BA from the University of Chicago.

Trump criticizes Biden for the $21 million funding to India

Former President Donald Trump has once more questioned the Biden administration’s choice to allocate $21 million to India for “voter turnout,” suggesting it indicates an attempt to "assist another candidate’s election."

“Why is there a need to spend $21 million on encouraging voter turnout in India? I presume they are attempting to get someone else elected. We need to inform the Indian authorities... This is an absolute scandal,” Trump stated.