BJP ELECTORAL BONDS

Congress' Rae Bareli fortress seems impregnable but BJP goes all out to breach it

The Gandhi family's influence is a significant factor in the Lok Sabha elections in Rae Bareli, India. Congress has lost Rae Bareli three times since Independence, losing it to the BJP in the 2019 polls. Sonia Gandhi has represented the constituency for four consecutive terms since 2004 and has now passed on the baton to her son Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi is up against Dinesh Pratap Singh, who lost to Sonia Gandhi in the 2019 polls.

Companies bribed political parties through electoral bonds to secure projects: Prashant Bhushan

Senior advocate Prashant Bhushan alleged companies used electoral bonds as bribes to secure projects, demanding an SIT probe for corruption. He criticized pharmaceutical firms benefiting from bonds and emphasized transparency in political funding.

Kotak Bank promoter Infina Finance donated Rs 60 crore to BJP via electoral bonds

The Mumbai-based Infina Finance donated electoral bonds worth Rs 60 crore to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The NBFC firm purchased these bonds in the denomination of Rs 1 crore in 2019, 2020 and 2021, according to the data given by the State Bank of India (SBI) to the Election Commission. The data was made public last month.

BJP received Rs 60 crore in electoral bonds, no action by ED: AAP alleges discrepancy

AAP's Sanjay Singh criticized the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly failing to take action against the BJP for receiving electoral bonds from a liquor scam accused. Singh highlighted donations made by the accused to the BJP and questioned the disparity in treatment between AAP and BJP leaders.

Kapil Sibal slams Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's remarks on electoral bonds

Kapil Sibal, a Rajya Sabha MP, criticizes the BJP for considering the revival of the electoral bonds scheme, which was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. He disputes Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's claim that the scheme was introduced for transparency, citing the court's verdict. Sibal accuses the BJP of preparing for potential defeat by planning to reintroduce the scheme if re-elected.

BJP wants to continue loot: Congress slams Nirmala Sitharaman's remarks on electoral bonds

The Congress criticized the BJP over Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's statement suggesting a return of electoral bonds after consultations, accusing them of wanting to "continue the loot" after allegedly looting Rs 4 lakh crore of public money. Jairam Ramesh, in a social media post, labeled four methods of what he called the "PayPM" scam, including prepaid and postpaid bribery, post-raid bribery, and involvement of fake companies in money laundering.

Modi’s hands shook while defending electoral bonds: Rahul Gandhi

“The electoral bonds are the biggest scam the nation has ever seen…the BJP government used the bonds to extort money off businesses that suddenly found themselves the target of central agencies like the CBI, ED and Income Tax Department,” Gandhi said, speaking in a rally in Mandya nine days before the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in the state.

Electoral bond scheme was better than earlier system of giving sacks, suitcases filled with money to parties: Nirmala Sitharaman

The senior BJP leader also defended the electoral bond scheme, saying it was introduced through a law passed in Parliament and was a better system as the transfer of money was visible in accounts instead of the earlier practice when cash-filled "sacks" and "suitcases" were given to parties.

'Electoral bonds the biggest extortion scheme...': Rahul Gandhi reacts sharply to PM Modi's interview

"What kind of transparency is this?": Pawan Khera slams BJP over electoral bonds

Hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on electoral bonds, Congress leader Pawan Khera said that the idea had no transparency and benefitted only the ruling party.

PM Modi, BJP indulged in large-scale corruption through electoral bonds: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged on Thursday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are doing most of the corruption in the country through electoral bonds. "Extortion is going on and its name is electoral bonds," Gandhi said while addressing a rally in Phalodi in the Jodhpur constituency of Rajasthan in support of the Congress candidate from the seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, Karan Singh Uchiyarda.

Demonetisation, electoral bonds examples of BJP's corruption: Yashwant Sinha

Yashwant Sinha, 86, said he has retired from politics and is not planning a return, even as several people from his former constituency Hazaribagh urged him to fight the election this time.

Electoral bond scheme deliberately ' muddied waters' of corporate political donations: Congress

Jairam Ramesh alleged there are four primary channels of corruption in the "electoral bond scam" and everyday a new dimension emerges to the "PayPM Scam", "confirming the shocking reality of the corruption which has engulfed this country through Narendra Modi's encouragement".

Prashant Bhushan accuses Centre of favouring cos like Bharti Telecom, Megha Engg after they donated through electoral bonds

Senior Advocate Prashant Bhushan accused the central government of favoring companies like Bharti Telecom and Megha Engineering after they made donations to the party through electoral bonds. He alleged that these donations were made as quid pro quo arrangements for favors from the government.

Nation paid price for BJP's compulsion to get 'chanda' at all costs: Congress

The Congress alleges BJP accepted over Rs 430 crore in donations from 33 firms with negative or near-zero profits through electoral bonds. Jairam Ramesh criticizes the scheme, claiming it promotes corruption. He highlights the donations from companies with dubious financial standings, suggesting possible money laundering. Ramesh asserts that despite RBI's concerns about money laundering, the BJP went ahead with the scheme, emphasizing the need for transparency in political funding.

Nation paid price for BJP's compulsion to get 'chanda' at all costs: Congress

The Congress accused the BJP of pushing the electoral bonds scheme despite RBI warnings. Congress alleged over Rs 430 crore donated to BJP by 33 firms with negative profits. Jairam Ramesh highlighted corruption channels, claiming donations from 'Farzi Companies'. He criticized BJP for ignoring money laundering risks flagged by RBI.

PM Modi speaks on electoral bonds, says 'those dancing over bond details will repent it'

Addressing questions about whether the revelation of electoral bond details posed a setback for the ruling BJP, PM Modi told Thanthi TV during an interview, "Tell me what have we done that I should see it as a setback? I firmly believe that those dancing over it (bond details) and taking pride in it are going to repent."

All major parties encashed electoral bonds; nobody has moral authority to say anything, says Finance Minister

​The system of electoral bonds was still better than the previous system, "which is what we've gone back to now. We need to do something better, but a lot more work is required", she added. Last month, a five-judge apex court bench, headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, said the electoral bonds scheme violates the right to information and the freedom of speech and expression under the Constitution.

Money trail leads to BJP through bonds, alleges AAP

A day after Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was sent to seven-day custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), AAP senior leadership accused the BJP of using electoral bonds to "coerce" people. The ED had told the court that Arvind Kejriwal acted as a middleman and facilitated kickbacks to the Delhi government worth ₹100 crore from the 'South Group', the name given by central agencies to an alleged network of middlemen, businessmen and politicians.

Jairam Ramesh calls electoral bonds 'pre-paid bribe', says Congress never supported the scheme

"Accounts of BJP should be seized": Sachin Pilot on electoral bonds

Sachin Pilot welcomed SC's electoral bond verdict, urging BJP's profit clarification and account seizure in Mumbai. Election Commission shared data from SC registry, including pre-April 12, 2019 transactions like DMK receiving Rs 656.5 crore.

'PM Modi should be held accountable': Congress chief Kharge targets BJP over Electoral Bonds data

Electoral bonds saga: Sanjay Raut accuses BJP of involvement in ‘biggest scam of country’