The US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recently published a post on X, revealing a list of cancelled or halted funding initiatives. Among these, a 21 million dollar allocation for ‘voter turnout’ in India, equivalent to Rs 182 crores, has sparked considerable attention. This comes on the heels of a recent statement by Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra, who raised concerns about “voter disenfranchisement” in India. During a Lok Sabha session on December 13, 2024, she highlighted widespread instances of voter suppression in both the general elections and recent by-polls in BJP-ruled states, citing cases of names missing from electoral rolls and police intimidation. She pointed to incidents in Rampur and Sambal, where entire communities were forced to stay home, and also noted the targeted exclusion of minorities by a biased, majoritarian state.
US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all which have been cancelled:
– $10M for "Mozambique voluntary medical male circumcision"
– $9.7M for UC Berkeley to develop "a cohort of Cambodian youth with enterprise driven skills"
– $2.3M for "strengthening…— Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) February 15, 2025
Another significant detail that has emerged is that Mahua Moitra was a recipient of the East Asia Security Fellowship, a program funded by the US State Department, which also supports the Soros-backed OCCRP. Interestingly, Moitra was seen criticising the same individuals and entities that OCCRP has been targeting in its reports.
Just one more question @USAndIndia. Then MLA (Now MP) Ms @MahuaMoitra claims you sponsored her for @StateDept’s “East Asia Security Fellowship”. Curiously she targets the same people @OCCRP does. So why is it everyone you sponsor end up attacking the same Indian businesses? https://t.co/ZLhbpt7THa pic.twitter.com/G4u6ugkqwi
— Abhijit Iyer-Mitra (@Iyervval) December 7, 2024
In 2023, Mahua Moitra was expelled from the Lok Sabha after the Ethics Committee found her guilty of unethical conduct and contempt of the House. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey accused her of accepting bribes from businessman Darshan Hiranandani in exchange for raising parliamentary questions that favoured his business interests over rivals like the Adani Group.
The committee’s report, approved by a 6-4 majority, accused Mahua Moitra of sharing her login credentials with businessman Darshan Hiranandani, potentially compromising national security. It claimed that 50 of her 61 parliamentary questions were aimed at benefiting his business. The panel recommended a legal investigation into her alleged financial misconduct, citing an inability to trace the money trail due to a lack of technical expertise. Moitra denied the charges, calling them false and driven by a “jilted ex,” and dismissed the inquiry as a “kangaroo court.” She also criticised the committee for holding a biased and humiliating hearing. Despite her objections, the Lok Sabha passed a motion to expel her, clearing the way for further government investigation.
