Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on electoral bonds as the “biggest extortion racket.” Shah challenged Gandhi to explain the source of ₹1,600 crore, calling it ‘hafta vasooli’. He defended BJP’s transparency in donations and dismissed calls to reveal donors, asserting INDIA bloc’s integrity.
Last week, political parties disclosed donations received via poll bonds. BJP topped with ₹6,061 crore, followed by Trinamool Congress and Congress. Santiago Martin, a lottery king, purchased bonds worth ₹1,368 crore, mainly benefiting Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK. Janata Dal (Secular) received ₹89.75 crore, including ₹50 crore from Megha Engineering.
Shah refuted allegations of BJP receiving excessive donations, comparing it to INDIA bloc’s ₹6,200 crore. He questioned the opposition’s credibility, citing BJP’s 303 seats and 17 state governments versus the bloc’s limited influence.
Shah’s remarks coincide with the Supreme Court’s ruling on electoral bonds, deeming them ‘unconstitutional’. He acknowledged the verdict but lauded poll bonds for curbing black money in politics.
Continuing his critique, Shah accused the opposition of opposing bonds to revive the ‘cut money’ system in politics. He emphasized BJP’s commitment to transparency and accused the opposition of hindering progress.
The exchange underscores ongoing debates over electoral financing and political transparency in India. While electoral bonds aimed to streamline donations, questions remain about their impact on democracy and accountability. As parties maneuver within legal frameworks, public scrutiny intensifies, shaping electoral dynamics and governance.
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