BJP Attacks Rahul Gandhi Over Trump’s Claim

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

Donald Trump alleges interference in Indian elections.
BJP calls Rahul Gandhi a tool for foreign agencies.
Amit Malviya accuses Rahul Gandhi of seeking foreign intervention.
Congress demands white paper on USAID support.
Trump suggests Biden administration wanted someone else elected in India.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

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BJP Attacks Rahul Gandhi Over Trump’s Claim: Tool for Foreign Agencies?

The BJP has targeted Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, labeling him a “tool for foreign agencies.” This attack comes after US President Donald Trump claimed that USAID funds were being used to interfere in India’s elections. Trump insinuated that the Joe Biden administration’s move to provide USD 21 million to India to “improve voter turnout” was an attempt “to get somebody else elected.” This statement has triggered a political storm, with the BJP seizing the opportunity to criticize Rahul Gandhi.

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BJP leader Amit Malviya stated that Trump’s statement “confirmed” that there was an attempt to influence the election in India. He further alleged that there was an attempt to install someone other than PM Modi. Amit Malviya slammed Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and said that a year before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the Congress leader was in London and “urging foreign powers to intervene in India’s internal affairs.” This accusation is at the heart of the controversy.

Malviya elaborated, “It is not just an Indian battle… In March 2023, ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Rahul Gandhi was in London, urging foreign powers—from the US to Europe—to intervene in India’s internal affairs. He has aligned himself with global networks seeking to undermine India’s strategic and geopolitical interests, acting as a tool for foreign agencies.” The BJP is using this statement to portray Rahul Gandhi as disloyal and reliant on foreign support.

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Malviya shared a clip of Rahul Gandhi speaking at an event in London in 2023. “The surprising thing is that the so-called defenders of democracy, which are the United States and the European countries, seems to be just oblivious that a huge chunk of democratic model has come undone, which is a real problem… The Opposition is fighting the battle and it’s not just an Indian battle, it’s actually a much more important battle…” Rahul Gandhi can be heard saying in the clip.

Malviya shared the clip on Thursday and doubled down on the criticism the BJP had levelled against Congress and Rahul Gandhi then. The BJP has accused Rahul Gandhi of maligning India on foreign soil and seeking foreign intervention. This is a recurring theme in the BJP’s attacks on the Congress leader.

Congress Responds to Trump’s Claims

US President Donald Trump hinted at Joe Biden administration’s interference in the Indian election. Speaking at Saudi Arabia government-backed FII Priority Summit in Miami on Wednesday night, Trump said, “Why do we need to spend $21 million on voter turnout in India? I guess they (Biden administration) were trying to get somebody else elected. We have got to tell the Indian Government. This is a total breakthrough.”

Reacting to the claims, Congress demanded that the government should bring out a white paper detailing USAID’s support to both governmental and non-governmental institutions in India. This is a call for transparency and accountability. Congress’s Jairam Ramesh said, “USAID is very much in the news these days. It was set up on November 3, 1961. Claims being made by the US President are typically nonsensical to say the least. Even so, the government of India should bring out a White Paper at the earliest detailing USAID’s support to both governmental and non-governmental institutions in India over the decades.”

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