Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge demanded an inquiry into the electoral bonds scheme and called for freezing the BJP's bank accounts until the investigation is completed. He criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP following revelations that several companies, that donated to political parties through the electoral bonds scheme, were under investigation by various agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Income Tax department.
Kharge questioned why many companies made donations only after facing investigations by these agencies and raised suspicions about potential pressure exerted on them. He highlighted that more than 15 of the top 30 companies that contributed through the electoral bonds scheme were under investigation by central agencies.
The Congress chief alleged that individuals or entities facing raids by ED and IT departments have joined the BJP and obtained party positions, seemingly becoming "clean" once affiliated with the BJP.
However, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman countered these claims, stating that linking probe agency raids with firms purchasing electoral bonds was based on assumptions.
Kharge also pointed out the disparity in donations received by the BJP and the Congress through the electoral bonds scheme, with the BJP reportedly receiving nearly 50% of the donations compared to the Congress's 11%.
He criticized the freezing of Congress's bank accounts, expressing concern over the lack of action against the BJP. Kharge emphasized the importance of a level playing field in elections and questioned how the opposition party could effectively participate if its accounts were frozen.
