In the latest development surrounding the contentious issue of electoral bonds in India, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Kharge's statements come amidst growing concerns over the transparency and fairness of the electoral bond scheme, which has been subject to intense scrutiny and criticism from various quarters.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Kharge accused PM Modi of hypocrisy, referencing the Prime Minister's oft-repeated slogan, "Na khaunga, na khane dunga" (I will neither indulge in corruption nor allow others to do so).
Kharge asserted that the recent revelations regarding the electoral bond scheme have exposed the BJP's alleged involvement in financial impropriety. The core of Kharge's argument lies in the disproportionate benefit that the BJP has reportedly derived from the electoral bond scheme.
Citing data released by the State Bank of India (SBI), Kharge highlighted that nearly 50% of the total electoral bond funds collected went to the BJP, while the principal opposition party, the Indian National Congress, received only 11% of the funds.
This stark contrast raises serious questions about the fairness and impartiality of the electoral bond system, with Kharge alleging that the BJP has exploited the scheme for its own political gain.
Moreover, Kharge raised concerns about the dubious nature of some donors who contributed to electoral bonds. He pointed out that many of these donors are individuals or entities with ongoing legal issues, including cases involving the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Income Tax (IT) department.
Kharge insinuated that the BJP may have exerted pressure on these donors to contribute to the party's coffers, further undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
The Congress President also highlighted the freezing of Congress party accounts by the Income Tax department, a move he attributed to political vendetta orchestrated by the BJP.
Kharge emphasized the need for a level playing field in elections and demanded an inquiry at the highest level to investigate the alleged corruption by the BJP.
He called for the immediate freezing of BJP's accounts until a thorough investigation is conducted to ascertain the legality of the funds received through the electoral bond scheme.
The Supreme Court's intervention in the matter further adds to the gravity of the situation. The court issued a notice to the SBI, expressing concern over the lack of transparency in the electoral bond process.
The court demanded that the SBI furnish unique alphanumeric numbers associated with electoral bonds, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in electoral funding.
As the electoral bond controversy continues to unfold, it has once again brought the issue of political finance to the forefront of public discourse. Kharge's demands for accountability and transparency underscore the imperative of ensuring a fair and equitable electoral process, free from the influence of money power and vested interests.
It remains to be seen how the government and relevant authorities respond to these grave allegations and whether concrete steps will be taken to address the concerns raised by opposition parties and civil society groups.
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