https://timelinedaily.com/lok-sabha-election-2024/india-alliance-5-demands-to-election-commissionAs allegations swirl regarding the alleged quid pro quo surrounding the now-scrapped electoral bonds, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered a robust defense, asserting that the system implemented by his government has enhanced transparency in political funding.
Responding to queries during an interview with Tamil television channel Thanthi, Prime Minister Modi dismissed suggestions of setbacks, stating, “Tell me what have we done that I should see it as a setback? I firmly believe that those dancing over it (bond details) and taking pride in it are going to repent.”
Highlighting the utility of electoral bonds in revealing the sources of funding and their beneficiaries, Prime Minister Modi emphasized, “It is due to the electoral bond system put in by his government that the sources of funding and its beneficiaries could be found out. If a trail is available today, it is because of the presence of bonds … if any agency can tell about the sources of funding and their beneficiaries for the polls before 2014.”
Acknowledging imperfections in the system, Prime Minister Modi underscored the potential for improvements, stating, “No system is perfect. There can be shortcomings which could be improved upon.”
In response to demands from the opposition INDIA alliance for the institution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) supervised by the Supreme Court to probe allegations of quid pro quo, extortion, and money laundering by the BJP using electoral bonds, Prime Minister Modi’s defense comes amidst mounting scrutiny.
Data insights provided by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) revealed that 41 companies facing scrutiny from enforcement agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax department, or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have contributed a substantial amount to the BJP. Of the total amount donated, a significant portion was received post-raids, raising questions about the timing and nature of these contributions. Additionally, the revelation that over ₹143 crore came from shell companies via electoral bonds has fueled further concerns about transparency and accountability in political funding.
Electoral bonds, introduced by the BJP in 2017, allowed individuals and companies to donate money to political parties anonymously and without any limits. However, a recent observation by a five-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, while scrapping the controversial scheme, noted that political contributions through such means grant undue influence over policymaking, leading to calls for greater scrutiny and reform in political funding mechanisms.