Congress and BJP Showdown On Electoral Bonds

: Category: Latest; Published: 15 March 2024

Kuldeep Chauhan Editor-in-Chief, HimbuMail

Shimla/NewDelhi: The release of Electoral Bonds data by the State Bank of India after Supreme Court order has sparjed a fierce political battle between India's opposition Congress party and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Amidst escalating scrutiny over electoral bonds, revelations have surfaced regarding the involvement of top donors facing enforcement directorate (ED) and income tax (IT) probes.

Reports circulating widely on social media have highlighted the precarious situation of significant contributors to electoral bonds, with a focus on five prominent entities.

Among them, Future Gaming Mega Engineering, a lottery company, and Vedanta Realtors, a mining tycoon, stand out.

Future Gaming and Hotels Private Limited, spearheaded by South Martin, emerged as the foremost purchaser of electoral bonds, tallying a staggering amount of ₹1300 crore between 2019 and 2024.

The company has been under the radar of the ED since 2019, with assets amounting to ₹650 crore attached by the authorities within a span of three years.

Strikingly, just five days subsequent to the asset attachment, the company purportedly acquired ₹100 crore worth of bonds. In a separate development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed charges against Future Gaming for alleged violations of the Lottery Regulation Act of 1998, allegedly swindling the Sikkim government.

Following closely in electoral bond expenditures is Hyderabad-based Mega Engineering and Infrastructures Limited, led by Krishna Reddy.

The company, involved in major infrastructure projects including dams and the Zozila Pass tunnel connecting Jammu and Kashmir to Ladakh, procured bonds worth ₹1000 crore from 2019 to 2024.

Similarly, the Vedanta Group, headed by industrialist Anil Agarwal, made acquisitions worth ₹370 crore in electoral bonds during the same period.

The group, embroiled in controversies ranging from a visa racket to dealings with certain Chinese nationals, has faced intense scrutiny from the ED.

This expose on electoral bonds has sent shockwaves through political circles, with analysts dissecting its potential ramifications on the electoral landscape.

The use of ED and IT raids for potential electoral advantage has sparked concerns about the integrity of the democratic process in India.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh wasted no time in dissecting the data, revealing what he alleges to be corruption tactics employed by the BJP.

According to Ramesh's analysis, over 1,300 companies and individuals have donated more than 6,000 crores to the BJP since 2019 through Electoral Bonds.

He pointed out several instances of what he perceives as quid pro quo arrangements, kickbacks, and money laundering through shell companies. Ramesh highlighted cases where companies made significant donations and then seemingly received lucrative government contracts or were spared from investigations by enforcement agencies.

In response, BJP supporters took to social media to counter Ramesh's claims.

They reminded the public that during Congress's tenure, the party raised a substantial amount through Electoral Bonds as well, totaling 1,662 crores. They questioned Congress's transparency, pointing out that the party did not disclose its list of contributors to the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

The debate has raged on as netizens demanded transparency from both sides.

They challenged Congress to reveal the sources behind the 1,700 crores it received through Electoral Bonds and questioned whether those donations were also tied to quid pro quo arrangements.

The controversy deepened with accusations and counter-accusations flying between the two political factions. Congress supporters alleged cozy relationships between certain companies and the ruling party, while BJP defenders questioned the motives behind Congress's sudden scrutiny of Electoral Bonds.

As the political storm rages on, with each side hurling accusations at the other, the issue of Electoral Bonds has become a focal point in India's political discourse, with transparency, accountability, and allegations of corruption at the center of the debate.

0

Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Insta Email Print

Sword of Uncertainty Over Six CPSs’ Fate Temporarily Lifted: Relief for Sukhu Government

In a major relief to the Himachal Pradesh government, the Supreme Court has stayed the High Court’s directive to initiate disqualification proceedings against six MLAs who were appointed as Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPSs).

This decision, welcomed by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has brought a temporary reprieve to his administration, which was grappling with the political and legal ramifications of the High Court’s order.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court had earlier quashed the appointments of the six CPSs, deeming them unconstitutional, and directed the Assembly Speaker to initiate disqualification proceedings under the anti-defection law.

However, the Supreme Court’s stay has effectively paused the implementation of this directive, offering the government some breathing space to strategize its next legal move.

CM Sukhu Hails Supreme Court’s Clarity

Speaking to media persons in New Delhi, CM Sukhu expressed his satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s interpretation, which he said provided much-needed clarity on the matter.

"The relief granted by the Supreme Court is significant, and we will deliberate on the next steps after considering all legal aspects,” he said.

The Chief Minister also emphasized that the apex court’s interpretation differed from paragraph 50 of the High Court’s verdict, which had been the basis of the controversial directive.

Opposition’s “Childish” Behavior Criticized

Shifting his focus to the opposition, Sukhu took a sharp jab at their tactics, describing their behavior as “childish” and lacking focus on real issues.

“There are no controversies here, but their behavior is simply immature. From toilet tax to ‘Samosa Politics,’ they are just distracting from the real issues,” he said.

Sukhu accused the opposition BJP of attempting to create diversions because of its failure to make a dent in the Congress’s strength during the Vidhan Sabha elections.

“Their ‘Operation Lotus’ was decisively rejected by the people, and Congress retained its 40-seat strength. Now, they resort to personal attacks to divert attention from our welfare schemes,” he added.

Relief Amid Mounting Challenges

The Supreme Court’s stay on the High Court’s order has momentarily eased the pressure on the Sukhu government, but the sword of uncertainty continues to hang over the six MLAs who served as CPSs.

With questions around their appointments still unresolved, the case remains a legal minefield.

The CPS appointments had drawn criticism for allegedly violating constitutional provisions, which prohibit the creation of such posts without legislative backing.

The High Court’s scathing remarks and the directive for disqualification had added fuel to the controversy, creating a storm in the state’s political landscape.

While the Supreme Court’s intervention provides temporary relief, the Sukhu government must now prepare for a protracted legal battle to defend the appointments and protect its legislative majority.

Opposition’s Counterattacks

The BJP, meanwhile, has been quick to pounce on the issue, accusing the government of flouting constitutional norms for political convenience. Party leaders have argued that the CPS appointments were a backdoor way to reward loyalists, a claim that Sukhu has staunchly denied.

The opposition’s attacks, combined with the ongoing legal scrutiny, highlight the precarious nature of the government’s position. For now, the Supreme Court’s decision is a welcome pause, but the final word on the matter could still have far-reaching consequences for the political stability of Himachal Pradesh.

Sukhu’s Call for Responsibility

Amid the controversy, Sukhu reiterated his commitment to governance and welfare. He called on the opposition to act responsibly and raise issues that matter to the common man.

“Significant progress has been made in improving the socio-economic status of the underprivileged during this tenure, and that remains our priority,” he stated.

With the legal wrangling far from over, the fate of the six CPSs—and the stability of the Sukhu government—remains inextricably tied to the unfolding courtroom drama.

Top News

Motive

The mainstream media houses dominated by the city- centric editors have been indifferent to the problems and issues faced by the Himalayan people down the centuries. HimbuMail is born to fill this gap and seeks to become their real voice.

News Coverage

City Explore

💰 Donate TO Us !

Donate Now »

Why Donate ?

HimbuMail is new web newsepaper and is being run on no-profit basis by professionals, who need financial support for sustainable operation of the web news portal.

your support is Supreme!

Latest

Congress and BJP Showdown On Electoral Bonds

Reports circulating widely on social media have highlighted the precarious situation of significant contributors to electoral bonds, with a focus on five prominent entities.

Latest Top 10 Hits

Latest Stories

Trending