The United States Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has cancelled a $21 million US taxpayer-funded grant - under former President Joe Biden's administration - meant to influence "voter turnout in India." In its announcement, DOGE highlighted that the $21 million was part of a larger $486 million budget allocated to the "Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening." 

Another $29 million was slated for "strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh" - a country that witnessed political turmoil amid allegations of US 'deep state' involvement in the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. 

The Musk-led department revealed that other taxpayer-funded projects also faced the axe, including:

$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

$22 million to foster an "inclusive and participatory political process" in Moldova. 

$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 marginalised communities of Kosovo Roma, Ashkali, and Egypt"

$1.5 million for "voter confidence" in Liberia

The sweeping cancellations, Mr Musk's department stated, were part of efforts to improve government efficiency and ensure taxpayer dollars were not being spent on "questionable" overseas political activities.

BJP's "External Interference" Response

The BJP termed the now-cancelled funding "external interference" in India's electoral process.

"$21M for voter turnout? This definitely is external interference in India's electoral process. Who gains from this? Not the ruling party for sure!" said BJP national spokesperson Amit Malviya in a statement 

Mr Malviya further alleged "systematic infiltration" of Indian institutions by foreign forces, particularly targeting billionaire investor and philanthropist George Soros and his alleged network of global influence through his Open Society Foundation.

"Once again, it is George Soros, a known associate of the Congress party and the Gandhis, whose shadow looms over our electoral process," Mr Malviya claimed.