New Delhi: In a candid address at the India Today Conclave, Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his deference to the Supreme Court's ruling on electoral bonds while advocating for reforms over abolition. Shah underscored the inception of the electoral bond scheme as a measure to eradicate black money from political funding. He lamented the missed opportunity to refine the system, which he believes could have bolstered transparency in political donations.
Shah criticized the previous practices of opposition parties, particularly the Congress, for their handling of cash donations, alleging misappropriation of funds. He claimed that out of every ₹1,100 received, only ₹100 would be officially accounted for, with the remainder being pocketed.
The Home Minister also highlighted the disproportionate distribution of electoral bonds, revealing that despite the BJP's majority in Parliament, their share of the bonds was a fraction of the total. He challenged the outcry over the BJP's funding, pointing to the larger sums received by other parties.
Shah then pivoted to the concept of 'one nation, one election,' a vision championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. He argued that the current frequency of elections leads to excessive expenditure and hampers governance due to the Model Code of Conduct. Shah posited that a singular electoral event would curtail costs and facilitate uninterrupted development.
In closing, Shah touched upon the ongoing seat-sharing negotiations in Bihar, assuring that a resolution is expected within the coming week. The Home Minister's remarks have ignited a discourse on the need for electoral reform and the potential impact of a unified polling system on India's political landscape.
