Amidst escalating political tensions, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing attack on the Modi government, accusing it of resorting to financial terrorism and extortion to capture democracy. The allegations surfaced following reports suggesting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received substantial donations from several companies subsequent to raids conducted by federal probe agencies such as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the income tax department.
Kharge asserted that the BJP received donations from at least 30 firms after allegedly misusing the investigative agencies to conduct raids against them. This purported misuse of power by the ruling party, according to Kharge, signifies an autocratic approach aimed at subverting democratic principles. He labeled the actions of the Modi government as tantamount to capturing democracy through financial coercion and intimidation.
The Congress president further pointed out that the BJP’s receipt of donations from these companies following the raids raises serious concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the impartiality of government institutions. He accused the government of leveraging its control over investigative agencies to extract financial contributions from corporations, thereby compromising the democratic ethos of the country.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Kharge raised questions about the legality and ethicality of such transactions. He questioned whether the BJP had ever paid income tax on the donations it received and accused the government of orchestrating a scheme to siphon off funds from the Congress party through coercive means.
Moreover, Kharge condemned the government’s alleged interference in the banking sector, citing instances where nationalized banks were compelled to transfer donations received by the Congress party to the income tax department under duress. This coercive tactic, as per Kharge, exemplifies the government’s disregard for democratic norms and its willingness to subvert institutional integrity for political gain.
Echoing Kharge’s sentiments, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh criticized the BJP-led government’s handling of the situation, describing it as a systematic assault on democratic principles. Ramesh accused the government of orchestrating a scheme whereby companies were coerced into making donations to the BJP following raids by investigative agencies. He characterized this practice as a blatant abuse of power and a betrayal of public trust.
Ramesh further alleged that the government’s introduction of electoral bonds had further eroded transparency in political funding, making it difficult to trace the sources of donations to political parties. He criticized the government’s lack of accountability and transparency in its fundraising activities, calling for greater scrutiny and oversight to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
The allegations of financial terrorism leveled by Kharge and Ramesh have reignited concerns about the erosion of democratic values and institutional integrity under the current government. The apparent politicization of investigative agencies and the misuse of power for financial gain have raised alarm bells about the state of democracy in the country. As the political standoff continues to escalate, calls for greater transparency and accountability in political funding have grown louder, underscoring the need for robust safeguards to protect the integrity of democratic institutions.