New Delhi: Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s recent criticism of electoral bonds as ‘hafta vasooli’, Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanded clarification on Gandhi’s alleged receipt of ₹1,600 crore.
In a video shared on social media, Shah questioned Gandhi’s source of the said funds, emphasizing transparency in political donations. He urged Gandhi to elucidate whether his funds were legitimately acquired or if they indeed came from illicit sources.
Regarding the disclosure of donor lists, Shah assured that once revealed, the INDIA alliance would face public scrutiny. He defended electoral bonds as a measure to curb black money in politics, expressing concerns over the potential resurgence of illicit funds following the scheme’s discontinuation.
While acknowledging the Supreme Court’s verdict to scrap the electoral bond scheme, Shah advocated for reforms instead of outright abolition. He highlighted the scheme’s role in minimizing black money’s influence in politics, contrasting it with the previous system of undisclosed contributions.
Shah criticized the opposition, led by Rahul Gandhi, for opposing electoral bonds, suggesting a preference for the old system of undisclosed contributions, colloquially known as ‘cut money.’
The Electoral Bond Scheme, aimed at providing political parties with anonymous donations, faced judicial scrutiny resulting in its annulment by the Supreme Court in February. Following the court’s directive, the State Bank of India ceased issuing electoral bonds, with the Election Commission of India subsequently releasing data on these bonds on its official website, in compliance with the court’s order.
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