BSP chief Mayawati raises concerns over 'foreign influence' in Indian elections

Mayawati raises concerns over alleged foreign interference in Indian elections, questioning $21 million sent by U.S. agency.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Monday (February 17, 2025) raised concerns over the alleged foreign interference in Indian elections, citing reports that $21 million was allegedly sent by an the U.S. agency under the pretext of increasing voter participation.

"The news from America is quite shocking as a massive amount of $21 million has reportedly been provided in the name of increasing voter participation in India. The people of the country must remain cautious and question whether this is an interference in free and fair elections, and if so, who has been benefiting from it," she said in a press note issued by the party, in Lucknow, on Monday (February 17, 2025.)

Her reaction came after the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) led by billionaire Elon Musk announced a series of expenditure cuts, including $21 million allocated for "voter turnout in India." The DOGE in a post on X on Saturday (February 15, 2025) announced cancelling many programmes costing hundreds of millions of taxpayers' dollars. The department said, "the U.S. taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all (of) which have been cancelled..." The list included $486 million in grants to the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening including $21 million for "voter turnout in India".

In the press note issued by the party on Monday (February 17, 2025), the BSP chief also said the "overwhelming dominance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) under government protection" made conditions unfavourable for her party in the Delhi elections.

"BSP members fought with full strength in the Delhi elections, just like they did in Haryana. However, owing to the strong political maneuvering and deceptive promises of the opposing parties, as well as the overwhelming dominance of the BJP and the AAP under government protection, BSP could not achieve the expected results," she said.

Despite the disappointing results in the Delhi polls where her party could not win a single seat, Mayawati urged BSP workers not to feel discouraged and remain committed to their cause, emphasising the party's ideological foundation and historical successes.

She said the "BSP has always been a party of struggle" and has achieved significant political milestones through its dedication to the principles of B.R. Ambedkar.