Akhilesh Yadav questions BJP over foreign funds, calls FCRA amendment 'control' tactic

Lucknow: Launching a sharp attack on the BJP over the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday questioned the ruling party over its alleged foreign funding and accused it of attempting to "control" NGOs through legislation.

In a post on X, Yadav noted that there was a "serious contradiction" in the BJP's stand on foreign funds and demanded clarity before bringing the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026.

"Before regulating foreign funding of NGOs, the BJP must explain whether the money received from abroad in the PM CARES Fund will be returned or given special exemption like audit relaxations," he said.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also raised questions over electoral bonds, which were struck down by the Supreme Court earlier, asking, "When electoral bonds have been declared illegal, how is the money received through them still valid?" Yadav further alleged that funds routed to "unregistered NGOs" and those collected in the name of religious activities must also be accounted for, and demanded scrutiny of associated organisations.

Accusing the BJP of adopting an "authoritarian approach", the Lok Sabha MP said the proposed law aimed to bring independent organisations under government control.

"This reflects an undemocratic and centralised mindset. The BJP wants to control NGOs and turn them into puppets, and gradually take over their assets," Yadav alleged.

He also claimed that the government was targeting organisations doing genuine work. "The government itself fails to deliver and does not want independent NGOs to succeed, as they often outperform the state and expose its shortcomings," he said.

Yadav, leader of the third largest party in Lok Sabha, further questioned the alleged illicit outflow of money from India, asking when action would be taken against those who had moved wealth abroad. "The BJP must explain what steps it is taking against those who have taken huge amounts of money out of the country and are living comfortably abroad," he said.

Yadav asserted that people would "end BJP's politics of favouritism" and alleged that "dishonesty and bad intent" form the basis of its policies.

His remarks come amid a political row over the proposed amendment to the FCRA, introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25.

The government has said the bill aims to enhance transparency in foreign funding and curb its misuse, including in cases of forced religious conversions. The opposition, including the Congress, has opposed the proposed law, terming it "draconian" and alleging that it seeks to stifle civil society organisations.