Posted by New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah fires back at Rahul Gandhi’s accusations, challenging him to acknowledge Congress’s involvement in the controversial electoral bonds scheme. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Shah defends the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) stance, highlighting opposition parties’ significant contributions under the scheme.
Shah asserts that opposition parties, including Congress, have received substantial donations via electoral bonds, urging Gandhi to admit to this reality. He rebuffs allegations of corruption against BJP, emphasizing transparency in their dealings.
“Their (opposition) parties have also received donations through bonds. Is that extortion as well? Rahul Gandhi must tell the people, ‘Yes, we have also extorted’,” Shah told NDTV in an exclusive interview.
“They (opposition) do not have an issue…there is no allegation of corruption against us. So they are trying to create confusion. But they would not be successful,” he added.
The electoral bonds, introduced by the Modi government, faced scrutiny culminating in a Supreme Court ruling declaring the scheme unconstitutional. Following the verdict, the Election Commission received directives to disclose pertinent details, shedding light on the financial landscape of political parties.
ECI’s disclosures unveil BJP as the prime beneficiary, receiving a staggering rupees 8251 crore, nearly half of the total funds. Congress follows with rupees 1952 crore, sparking debates over the nature of these donations and their implications.
Furthermore, revelations of donors facing legal actions prompt accusations of coercion by the BJP, fueling claims of extortion surrounding the scheme by the opposition parties.