An FIR has been filed against Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President JP Nadda, accusing them of “extorting money” through the controversial electoral bonds scheme. The complaint, lodged by Adarsh Iyer of the Janadhikar Sangharsh Parishad, also implicates two senior BJP leaders from Karnataka, Naleen Kumar Kateel and BY Vijayendra.
According to a report by NDTV, the complaint alleges that Sitharaman, along with other senior party leaders, was involved in using the electoral bonds scheme as a vehicle to accumulate illicit funds for political purposes. It further claims that corporate entities were coerced into purchasing these bonds, with raids conducted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) allegedly serving as a pressure tactic. The funds accumulated through the scheme, the complaint asserts, were then channeled into BJP coffers at both the state and national levels.
Court orders FIR to be registered
Following the petition, a special court in Bengaluru directed the Tilak Nagar police station to register an FIR against Sitharaman, Nadda, and other BJP leaders for extortion through electoral bonds. The allegations have sparked a political storm, with Congress and other opposition parties calling for a thorough investigation into the matter.
The ruling BJP, however, has mounted a robust defense of Sitharaman and the other leaders implicated in the case. Party spokespersons have characterized the complaint as politically motivated, emphasizing that the electoral bond scheme was a policy initiative that passed through proper legislative channels.
In response to the FIR, BJP leaders have distanced themselves from the allegations. They argue that the electoral bonds were implemented in accordance with the law and that the charges are an attempt to malign the party ahead of upcoming elections.
BJP Denies allegations, defends electoral bonds scheme
The BJP has come out strongly in defense of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, calling the accusations baseless and politically driven. According to party leaders, the electoral bond scheme was established to bring transparency to political funding. The scheme allows individuals and corporations to donate to political parties anonymously, a practice that has been widely criticized by opposition parties and civil society groups for its lack of transparency.
In a statement, a senior BJP leader said, “The electoral bonds scheme was passed by Parliament and is in line with the legal framework. The accusations of extortion and coercion are completely false and part of a larger political conspiracy to defame our leaders.”
Political fallout in Karnataka
The FIR has also triggered a political war of words in Karnataka, where the BJP is currently the opposition party. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of the Congress wasted no time in targeting the BJP leadership, calling for the resignation of Sitharaman and hinting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi could also be implicated in the case.
In a sharp rebuke, Siddaramaiah posted on X (formerly Twitter), “The Court of People’s Representatives has issued an order to file an FIR against Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in connection with the electoral bond scam. When will the leaders protest and march for her resignation, Karnataka BJP? If there is an impartial investigation into this case, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also have to resign.”
The BJP quickly fired back, with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi defending Sitharaman and criticizing Siddaramaiah for drawing comparisons between the electoral bonds case and the land allotment scandal that has rocked the Congress-led government in Karnataka.
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“I have not seen the full details of the FIR yet, but I can assure you that the electoral bond scheme was implemented as per the law, passed by Parliament. This case is incomparable to the MUDA land allotment scam that Siddaramaiah is involved in,” Joshi said, referencing the recent FIR filed against the Karnataka Chief Minister in connection with an alleged scam related to land allotment by the Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
Electoral bonds controversy
The electoral bonds scheme has been a point of contention in Indian politics since its introduction in 2018. The scheme allows individuals, companies, and institutions to purchase bonds from designated banks and donate them anonymously to political parties. Critics argue that the system promotes opacity in political funding and facilitates the flow of “black money” into elections, while supporters claim it brings a degree of legitimacy to corporate and individual donations.
The opposition, particularly the Congress, has been vocal about its concerns regarding the scheme, arguing that it disproportionately benefits the ruling party and undermines the principles of free and fair elections.
The filing of an FIR against Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and BJP President JP Nadda over allegations of extortion through electoral bonds marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over the scheme’s legality and transparency. As the case unfolds, it is likely to intensify political tensions between the ruling BJP and opposition parties, especially in the run-up to future elections. With both sides trading accusations, the matter could shape political narratives in the months to come.
