Usaid row: congress slams bjp, demands white paper - the statesman

Usaid row: congress slams bjp, demands white paper - the statesman

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Stepping up its attack on the BJP on the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) issue, the Congress on Saturday demanded a comprehensive “white paper” on the funds that


political parties, individuals, NGOs, organisations received from developmental agencies, aid mechanisms and multilateral forums. The grand old party also said that the “white paper”  should


not only focus on USAID funding, but all such agencies which fund both Governments, individuals and all other entities under Indian law. Advertisement Notably, the Congress earlier stated


that the “funds narrative” (funding of $21 million for increasing ‘voter turnout’ in India) was perpetrated by the BJP-led government to divert attention from its own sins of using foreign


funds to destabilise the previous Congress governments. Advertisement The statement of the Congress came after the BJP hit out at Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for 


allegedly acting as a “tool for foreign agencies” and aligning with global networks to undermine the country’s interests, in the wake US President Donald Trump’s admission to attempts by


former US governments to influence elections in India. Addressing a press conference, Congress’ Chairman of Media and Publicity Department Pawan Khera asserted that Prime Minister Narendra


Modi-led government, its Ministers, its Economic Advisor, BJP’s IT Cell head and its ecosystem are desperately tying themselves in knots to somehow prove their allegation of ‘deep state’ and


‘foreign intervention’ with regards to ‘$21 million USAID funds narrative’. Attacking the RSS and BJP, he said, “RSS-BJP and its ilk are habitual offenders in two aspects. Crafting fake


narratives and propagating lies, and seeking external assistance to ‘destabalize the Indian States– our democracy and our Constitution.Yesterday, we already gave numerous examples on how


RSS-BJP became pawns of foreign powers to unleash their anti-national agenda to discredit elected Congress governments has been dotted in history.” “RSS-BJP and all their ecosystem actors


making wild allegations to bolster their fake narrative against credible civil society members, NGOs, political parties, must not only be named and shamed on public forums, but legal action


must also be taken against them for spreading lies and misleading the nation,” Khera said. Taking a jibe at the Prime Minister, the Congress leader said, “Prime Minister Modi must talk to


his friend, US President Trump and strongly refute the allegation on him that America was about to give $21 million to him and India for increasing voter turnout.” Advertisement