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.

BJP expands its influence as Trump reiterates his comments on ‘voter turnout funds’ in USAID discussion

 

BJP expands its influence as Trump reiterates his comments on ‘voter turnout funds’ in USAID discussion: ‘For the third consecutive day...’ 

Trump stated again, ‘We are providing $21 million for voter participation in India. What about our situation? I seek voter participation as well.’ 

As the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) engage in a conflict regarding funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), US President Donald Trump repeated that $21 million was allocated to India for “voter participation,” making it the third day he has asserted this. 

This remark emerges following a media article clarifying that the funds were actually designated for Bangladesh in 2022, not India. Referring to that article, the Congress dismissed the BJP’s claims of external interference in Indian elections. 

Reiterating his statement, Trump remarked, “...$21 million is being sent to my ally Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India to foster voter participation. We are providing $21 million for voter participation in India. What about us? I want voter participation too.” 

Trump strongly claimed that a “$29 million fund was allocated to enhance the political environment in Bangladesh,” directly opposing the assertions in the media article. 

In response to Trump's video, the BJP took a shot at the opposition, which had leveraged the media article to criticize the saffron party. 

“For the third consecutive day, US President Donald Trump reaffirms his statement regarding USAID funding aimed at increasing voter participation in India. But what does he understand about his own nation’s expenditures? The Indian Express and the irrational Left believe they are more knowledgeable!” BJP official Amit Malviya commented.

Kash Patel inaugurated as the 9th director of the FBI, pledges allegiance on the Bhagavad Gita

Kash Patel inaugurated as the 9th director of the FBI, pledges allegiance on the Bhagavad Gita
Kash Patel inaugurated as the 9th director of the FBI, pledges allegiance on the Bhagavad Gita
Kash Patel inaugurated as the 9th director of the FBI, pledges allegiance on the Bhagavad Gita

 

Kash Patel inaugurated as the 9th director of the FBI, pledges allegiance on the Bhagavad Gita

Kash Patel, an Indian-American, has officially taken on the role of FBI director, pledging to honor the Constitution. 

On Friday, Kash Patel, who has Indian heritage, was inaugurated as the ninth leader of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), taking his oath on the revered Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita. 

Present at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building during the ceremony were Kash Patel's girlfriend and family, as he was sworn in by US Attorney General Pam Bondi after the US Senate confirmed his position as the FBI director. He has taken over the role from Christopher Wray. 

Kash Patel is not the first person of Indian descent to swear his oath on the Gita. Previously, Congressman Suhash Subrahmanyam also took his oath using the Gita.

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February 22, 2025 at 09:23AM
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February 22, 2025 at 11:13AM

Kash Patel inaugurated as the 9th director of the FBI, pledges allegiance on the Bhagavad Gita

Kash Patel inaugurated as the 9th director of the FBI, pledges allegiance on the Bhagavad Gita
Kash Patel inaugurated as the 9th director of the FBI, pledges allegiance on the Bhagavad Gita

 

Kash Patel inaugurated as the 9th director of the FBI, pledges allegiance on the Bhagavad Gita

Kash Patel, an Indian-American, has officially taken on the role of FBI director, pledging to honor the Constitution. 

On Friday, Kash Patel, who has Indian heritage, was inaugurated as the ninth leader of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), taking his oath on the revered Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita. 

Present at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building during the ceremony were Kash Patel's girlfriend and family, as he was sworn in by US Attorney General Pam Bondi after the US Senate confirmed his position as the FBI director. He has taken over the role from Christopher Wray. 

Kash Patel is not the first person of Indian descent to swear his oath on the Gita. Previously, Congressman Suhash Subrahmanyam also took his oath using the Gita.

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February 22, 2025 at 09:23AM
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February 22, 2025 at 10:13AM

Kash Patel inaugurated as the 9th director of the FBI, pledges allegiance on the Bhagavad Gita

Kash Patel inaugurated as the 9th director of the FBI, pledges allegiance on the Bhagavad Gita

 

Kash Patel inaugurated as the 9th director of the FBI, pledges allegiance on the Bhagavad Gita

Kash Patel, an Indian-American, has officially taken on the role of FBI director, pledging to honor the Constitution. 

On Friday, Kash Patel, who has Indian heritage, was inaugurated as the ninth leader of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), taking his oath on the revered Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita. 

Present at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building during the ceremony were Kash Patel's girlfriend and family, as he was sworn in by US Attorney General Pam Bondi after the US Senate confirmed his position as the FBI director. He has taken over the role from Christopher Wray. 

Kash Patel is not the first person of Indian descent to swear his oath on the Gita. Previously, Congressman Suhash Subrahmanyam also took his oath using the Gita.

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February 22, 2025 at 09:23AM

Kickback Scheme... Why Should I Care? Trump on USAID as BJP Criticizes Congress

 

Kickback Scheme... Why Should I Care? Trump on USAID as BJP Criticizes Congress

The political debate between the BJP and Congress has intensified following the cancellation of USAID funding to India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and several African countries by Trump's Department of Government Efficiency.

On Thursday, Donald Trump reiterated his doubts regarding the $21 million in United States aid allocated for India through the global aid organization USAID in 2012, intended for voter engagement. He labeled it a "kickback scheme," exclaiming, "What do I care about that? We have our own issues to deal with." 

However, the US President did not provide additional details to support his claim or any evidence.

While speaking to a group of state Governors from his party, Trump remarked, "Can you believe that amount of money is going to India? I often wonder how they feel about receiving it. It's essentially a kickback scheme... you know, they send it back to those who put it up in the first place..."

He elaborated, "In many of these situations, whenever there's a lack of clarity on what we're discussing, it suggests there's a kickback involved since no one seems to understand what is happening there." Trump also questioned a $29 million grant aimed at "enhancing the political landscape" in Bangladesh.

"What do I care? We've got plenty of our own issues... all of this is over and done with. We have put an end to these types of things and are moving forward. By the way, there are countless others I could go on about all night, but many were so atrocious," he stated.

On Wednesday, Trump expressed confusion about why US taxpayer dollars were being spent on Indian voters, saying, "Why are we sending $21 million to India? They have ample resources."

In India, Trump's statements—including accusations against former President Joe Biden of "trying to get someone else elected" during last year's Lok Sabha election, which the BJP won—were utilized to target Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for remarks he made in the UK ahead of the 2024 election. This morning, building on Trump's "kickback" statement, BJP leaders Amit Malviya and Pradeep Bhandari asserted that the funds had been employed to support "deep state assets" in India, accusing Gandhi and "the Congress ecosystem" of benefiting from the $21 million.

Kash Patel inaugurated as the 9th director of the FBI, pledges allegiance on the Bhagavad Gita

 

Kash Patel inaugurated as the 9th director of the FBI, pledges allegiance on the Bhagavad Gita

Kash Patel, an Indian-American, has officially taken on the role of FBI director, pledging to honor the Constitution. 

On Friday, Kash Patel, who has Indian heritage, was inaugurated as the ninth leader of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), taking his oath on the revered Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita. 

Present at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building during the ceremony were Kash Patel's girlfriend and family, as he was sworn in by US Attorney General Pam Bondi after the US Senate confirmed his position as the FBI director. He has taken over the role from Christopher Wray. 

Kash Patel is not the first person of Indian descent to swear his oath on the Gita. Previously, Congressman Suhash Subrahmanyam also took his oath using the Gita.