Opposition figures have launched scathing criticisms directed at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the State Bank of India (SBI) after the bank's plea for an extension from the Supreme Court to divulge information concerning electoral bonds cashed by political entities.
Congress Member of Parliament Manish Tewari vehemently rebuked SBI for petitioning the court for an extended timeframe to disclose electoral bond particulars, urging the apex court to admonish the bank for its perceived deceitfulness. Tewari underscored the necessity for pre-election transparency, asserting the populace's right to ascertain the origins and potential exchanges associated with electoral bond transactions. He implored the judiciary to mandate the unveiling of the corporate veil enshrouding Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) masquerading as electoral trusts, to unveil the veritable identities of donors.
Echoing Tewari's sentiments, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi characterized SBI's plea as a desperate endeavor to obfuscate Prime Minister Narendra Modi's purported agenda ahead of the parliamentary elections. Gandhi decried the concerted efforts to shield what he referred to as the Prime Minister's "true motives" behind a shroud of secrecy, particularly in defiance of the Supreme Court's endorsement of public disclosure regarding electoral bonds.
In a characteristic display of biting satire, Trinamool Congress luminary Mahua Moitra derided the symbiotic relationship between the state-owned bank and Prime Minister Modi, suggesting an insidious collusion to suppress pertinent information. Moitra's acerbic commentary underscored the skepticism surrounding the purported independence of SBI in light of its perceived alignment with the ruling dispensation.
Adding his voice to the chorus of disapproval, Congress stalwart and seasoned legal expert Abhishek Manu Singhvi accused SBI of engaging in deliberate stalling tactics aimed at impeding transparency, particularly in the run-up to the elections. Singhvi characterized the bank's actions as a blatant attempt to deflect attention from critical issues by prolonging legal proceedings, thereby forestalling the disclosure of pertinent details surrounding electoral bond transactions.
CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury expressed grave concerns over SBI's motion for an extension, insinuating ulterior motives behind the delay. Yechury raised suspicions regarding the potential ramifications of prolonging the disclosure deadline, questioning whether it was a calculated move to shield the ruling regime from scrutiny until after the elections, thus preempting any unfavorable revelations.
The Supreme Court's termination of the contentious electoral bonds scheme on the grounds of infringing upon citizens' right to information had mandated SBI to cease issuance and furnish details of donations to the Election Commission. Despite this directive, SBI's petition for an extended deadline till June 30th to furnish electoral bond information to the EC has stirred controversy, citing complexities in deciphering anonymous donors and matching contributions, a move perceived by critics as a deliberate attempt to forestall transparency.
