Picture : ANI/ X
Congress party has stepped up its attack on the Modi government over the Electoral bonds issue . Addressing press conference at the Congress headquarters Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge flanked by former president Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi lashed out at the BJP.
Other senior leaders present at the press conference were Jairam Ramesh, Ajay Maken , K C Venugoapl.
Kharge stated “Supreme Court called Electoral Bonds illegal and unconstitutional. Under that scheme, the present ruling party filled its accounts with thousands and crores of Rupees. On the other hand, under a conspiracy, the bank account of the main opposition party has been frozen. So that, in the absence of funds there is no level-playing field in contesting the elections. This is a dangerous game by the ruling party which will have a far-reaching impact. If democracy in this country has to be saved, there has to be a level-playing ground…”
As the dates have been announced for the Sabha Polls of 2024, Kharge cautioned, “Lok Sabha elections have been announced. It is essential for a democracy that elections are conducted in an impartial manner and a level playing ground is provided to all political parties. It should not be that ED, I-T and other autonomous bodies are controlled. In the last few days, after intervention by SC, the facts about electoral bonds which have emerged have hurt the image of the country.”
Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi addressing the conference said , “…This issue affects not just Congress, it impacts our democracy itself most fundamentally. A systematic effort is underway by the Prime Minister to cripple the Indian National Congress financially. Funds collected from the public are being frozen and money from our accounts is being taken away forcibly. However, even under these most challenging circumstances, we are doing our very best to maintain the effectiveness of our election campaign. On one hand, there is the Electoral Bond issue which has been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Electoral Bonds benefitted the BJP hugely. On the other hand, the finances of the principal opposition party – the INC – are under a determined assault. This, we all believe, is unprecedented and undemocratic.”
