"What kind of transparency is this?": Pawan Khera slams BJP over electoral bonds
Apr 15, 2024
New Delhi [India], April 15 : Hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on electoral bonds, Congress leader Pawan Khera said that the scheme had no transparency and benefitted only the ruling party.
"First they said there is no numbering on it (electoral bonds) but it was found that there is numbering. Only ruling party has knowledge about the number. What kind of transparency is this? Our main objection was regarding transparency only that it only suits the ruling party," Khera told ANI.
Earlier, in an interview to ANI, PM Modi had accused the opposition parties of "spreading lies" over the electoral bonds scheme, and said everyone will regret it when there is an honest reflection. He added that the scheme was aimed at curbing black money in elections and said the opposition wants to run away after making allegations.
Congress leader Manish Tewari also slammed the BJP for its idea of 'One Nation, One Election' and said that it is an "attack on Constitution".
"One Nation One Election is completely against the union structure and an attack on India's Constitution. There are many complications in it. And after seriously looking into it, Congress has completely rejected it," he said.
PM Modi said that the ONOE, which is one of the key promises made by BJP, in its poll manifesto, is the "commitment" of his government.
He further said that the committee formed under chairmanship of former President Ram Nath Kovind to prepare the report on 'One nation, One election' received very positive and innovative suggestions.
Tiwari, who is Congress candidate from Chandigarh in Lok Sabha polls, also raised concerns about the PMLA, stating that conviction has been done only in 23 out of thousands of cases and demanded amendments to the Act.
"I asked a question in the Parliament...after PMLA was implemented, only 23 people were convicted...when there are thousands of cases. So, there is a need to amend the PMLA and if need arises, to strike it down," he stated.
Earlier, elaborating on the investigations by ED, Prime Minister Modi said the agency had attached property worth Rs 5000 crore before 2014, while in the last 10 years, assets worth Rs 1 lakh crore have been attached.
Prime Minister Modi further said that ED had only recovered Rs 34 lakh before 2014 while in the last 10 years, Rs 2200 crore cash has been recovered, while adding that his personal conviction is to fight corruption with full strength.
