In the ongoing critique of the government regarding the matter of electoral bonds, the Congress has intensified its accusations. Allegations put forth by the Congress on Saturday suggest that substantial sums, amounting to thousands of crores, have been coerced from corporate entities. They maintain that a thorough investigation overseen by the Supreme Court is imperative.
Jairam Ramesh, the general secretary of the Congress, delineated four purportedly unethical tactics employed by the BJP. These include soliciting donations in exchange for business opportunities, engaging in extortion, securing contracts through bribery, and exploiting shell companies for fraudulent gains. Ramesh contends that a preliminary analysis of the data pertaining to the electoral bond scandal underscores the gravity of these allegations.
The emergence of these four distinct patterns of corruption has raised significant alarm. Ramesh reiterates the urgent need for an independent inquiry monitored by the Supreme Court. He claims that numerous instances of corruption have come to light in recent days, with corporate India being the primary victim of extortion, resulting in substantial losses.
Highlighting troubling instances, Ramesh points to the involvement of infrastructure companies in significant donations. He specifically mentions Megha Engineering, the second-largest contributor to Electoral Bonds, which was linked to the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project in Telangana. The project, touted as the ‘world’s largest multi-stage lift irrigation project,’ has encountered setbacks, including the sinking of the Medigadda Barrage, leading to substantial financial losses.
Ramesh draws attention to similar infrastructure failures in Morbi, Gujarat, over the past few years, insinuating a systemic issue. He questions whether substantial electoral bond donations have been used to conceal deficiencies in infrastructure projects, potentially jeopardizing public safety.
Additionally, Ramesh alleges that many companies have expedited the clearance process for projects after purchasing electoral bonds. He raises concerns about the environmental impact, particularly on forest land, and the adverse effects on indigenous communities.
Turning to the pharmaceutical sector, Ramesh reveals that significant sums have been contributed through electoral bonds. Notably, he mentions Hetero Drugs, which faced recalls of its products in the US market due to regulatory issues. He questions whether regulatory authorities in India have compromised standards in exchange for electoral bond donations.
Ramesh further implicates Future Gaming & Hotels, the largest electoral bond donor, alleging close ties between the company’s owner and the BJP. He questions the integrity of electoral bonds, particularly regarding their influence on political decisions and the prevalence of crony capitalism.
In addition to the corruption exposed through the electoral bond scandal, Ramesh cites ongoing investigations into a prominent business group associated with Prime Minister Modi. The Congress had previously raised concerns about the ‘Modani Scam,’ alleging collusion between the government and select businesses.
Ramesh concludes by accusing the Prime Minister of presiding over a government mired in corruption. He contends that under Modi’s leadership, governance has been characterized by a quid pro quo approach, where political contributions dictate policy decisions.
The Congress, on Friday, called for a thorough investigation by the Supreme Court into the BJP’s alleged corruption and urged for the freezing of its bank accounts. They claim that the BJP received half of its funding through electoral bonds.
Prominent entities such as steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, telecommunications mogul Sunil Bharti Mittal’s Airtel, and industrialist Anil Agarwal’s Vedanta were among the notable purchasers of electoral bonds. Following a directive from the Supreme Court, the State Bank of India, the authorized distributor of electoral bonds, disclosed the data to the Election Commission on March 12. The Election Commission, complying with the court’s order, made the data available on its website ahead of the deadline.