Mangaluru : Actor Prakash Raj has raised concerns about the alleged substantial donations flowing into the BJP’s coffers from corporate entities and businessmen currently under scrutiny by both the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Income Tax Department (I-T Dept). Raj criticized the practice of awarding contracts to companies that have made donations to the party, labeling it as a major global scam. He demanded explanations from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah regarding these matters during a media interaction in Mangaluru.
Questioning the secrecy surrounding the electoral bonds data maintained by the Centre, Raj described it as an act of plunder and urged the Prime Minister to address the issue in his “Mann Ki Baat” program. He also responded to Amit Shah’s comparison of opposition party funding with BJP’s electoral bond receipts, likening it to a member of a larger criminal organization pleading for leniency based on a smaller share of the loot.
Raj highlighted the acknowledgment by the DMK regarding funds received from a company interested in launching lottery tickets in Tamil Nadu and questioned the BJP’s reluctance to disclose its donation sources. He insinuated that recent revelations imply the BJP had accumulated funds post-raids, suggesting potential impropriety.
Moreover, Raj challenged the necessity for the BJP to seek election funds, speculating on whether these funds were being utilized to influence elected representatives or voters. He emphasized the importance of transparency in political financing, criticizing the practice of accepting undisclosed contributions and subsequently awarding contracts.
In a pointed query, Raj questioned the ethics of accepting funds from dubious sources and suggested that the BJP should face scrutiny akin to other entities targeted by the ED. He accused the BJP of being complicit in facilitating unethical funding practices and implicated prominent individuals and corporations associated with the party.
Regarding his own political involvement, Raj clarified his intention not to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections or align with any political party but affirmed his commitment to hold the ruling party accountable as a concerned citizen. He encouraged voters to focus on individual candidates rather than party affiliations.
Responding to projections favoring the BJP in pre-election surveys, Raj dismissed them as mere commercial enterprises. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court reprimanded the State Bank of India for its handling of the electoral bonds scheme and ordered full disclosure of related details by March 21, following an earlier ruling declaring the scheme unconstitutional.
The Election Commission’s data revealed significant contributions by Future Gaming and Hotel Services, owned by Santiago Martin, to Tamil Nadu’s ruling party DMK via electoral bonds. These donations, constituting a substantial portion of the DMK’s receipts, underscored concerns regarding the transparency of political funding, particularly in light of ongoing investigations involving the donor. However, due to incomplete disclosure by most political parties, the beneficiaries of the remaining bonds purchased by Future Gaming remain undisclosed.
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