Opposition parties have utilized the electoral bonds scheme to receive donations, while actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha highlighted to the media that the BJP manipulated the system for coercion and intimidation. Speaking from Patna, where he was interviewed by the media, Sinha, now a Trinamool Congress MP preparing for the Lok Sabha elections in Asansol, expressed concerns about the BJP’s misuse of the scheme.
When questioned about the Trinamool Congress ranking second in donations received through the now-defunct system, Sinha pointed out the difference in approach. He emphasized that the opposition parties did not engage in extortion or threats, unlike the BJP, which allegedly pressured donors with the prospect of facing investigative agencies like the ED, CBI, and Income Tax if they didn’t contribute.
Sinha acknowledged that the BJP introduced the electoral bonds scheme but argued that others simply followed suit without resorting to misuse, conspiracy, or fraud. He criticized the BJP for using donations as leverage to secure contracts, make arrests, and intimidate people, contrasting it with the opposition’s more transparent handling of funds.
Highlighting the significant disparity in funds received, with the BJP leading at Rs 6,986.5 crore, followed by Trinamool Congress at Rs 1,397 crore, and Congress at Rs 1,334 crore, Sinha stressed that receiving donations through the scheme is not the issue; it’s how the funds are utilized and whether they are used to instill fear and coercion, which he claims the opposition parties did not do compared to the ruling party.
When asked about the electoral bonds becoming a campaign topic, Mr. Sinha concurred. He also highlighted the Election Commission of India’s handling of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) concerns. According to him, there’s a perception that the Election Commission hasn’t been straightforward about the EVM issue and has used poetry to downplay it. Sinha emphasized the importance of truth, transparency, and the visible execution of good work.
