Congress leader and Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge highlighted Irani's past association with USAID, stating that her official biography mentions her role as a "goodwill ambassador" for the agency. Kharge questioned whether this implies that BJP politicians are the true agents of George Soros. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the actual agent of George Soros is Smriti Irani.
In response, BJP's Amit Malviya refuted these claims, clarifying that Irani was appointed as the Oral Rehydration Salts Goodwill Brand Ambassador by the World Health Organization from 2002 to 2005. Malviya emphasized that her appointment was due to her popularity from the television serial "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" and was not influenced by any foreign entity. He also noted that the Delhi Transport Corporation, under the then Congress government, endorsed the WHO campaign featuring Irani.
The controversy intensified after US President Donald Trump questioned the necessity of the $21 million USAID funding intended to boost voter turnout in India. Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative Summit in Miami, Trump suggested that the funds might have been used to influence electoral outcomes and emphasized the need to address this issue with the Indian government. This statement followed the Department of Government Efficiency's decision to cancel the allocation, citing concerns over potential interference in India's electoral process.
BJP leaders have seized upon these developments, demanding a thorough investigation into the USAID's funding activities in India. BJP MP Mahesh Jethmalani described the $21 million allocation as an attempt to influence voter behavior and called for scrutiny over who received these funds within India. He also pointed out that Veena Reddy, who led USAID's mission in India starting in 2021, returned to the US after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, suggesting a possible connection to the funding controversy.
Former Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi, under whose tenure a memorandum of understanding was signed with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems in 2012, has refuted claims of financial involvement. Quraishi clarified that while there was an agreement for training purposes, no funding was involved, and dismissed reports suggesting otherwise.