Rahul Gandhi Condemns SBI’s Delay in Electoral Bonds Disclosure as Attempt to Conceal Truth

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has criticized the State Bank of India (SBI) for seeking an extension from the Supreme Court to furnish information on electoral bonds, describing it as a “last attempt” to conceal Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “real face” ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. The move comes in the wake of a Supreme Court directive ordering the disclosure of details regarding electoral bonds, a decision hailed as a victory for transparency and accountability in political funding.

Gandhi expressed his dismay over SBI’s request for an extension until June 30, arguing that the retrieval of information should be a straightforward process in the digital age. He questioned the motive behind the delay, stressing the importance of making electoral bond information public before the elections to uphold democratic principles.

Accusing the government of attempting to cover up corruption, Gandhi highlighted the significance of transparency in political financing, particularly in light of the upcoming elections. He denounced what he perceived as undue influence exerted by the ruling party over independent institutions, alleging collusion to conceal the truth from the public.

Jairam Ramesh, Congress’s general secretary in-charge of communications, echoed Gandhi’s sentiments, emphasizing the chronological sequence of events: elections preceding the disclosure of electoral bonds. Ramesh questioned the ruling party’s reluctance to reveal the sources of its campaign financing, raising concerns about potential impropriety and the need for accountability.

CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury expressed suspicion over SBI’s move, suggesting ulterior motives behind the request for an extension. Yechury warned against allowing the delay to shield Modi and the BJP from scrutiny, emphasizing the importance of upholding the integrity of democratic processes.

The demand for transparency in electoral funding is a crucial aspect of ensuring the fairness and integrity of democratic elections. Any attempts to delay or obfuscate the disclosure of vital information undermine public trust in the electoral process and raise concerns about accountability in governance.

As political parties gear up for the upcoming elections, the onus is on institutions like the SBI to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability, thereby safeguarding the democratic ideals enshrined in the Constitution. The scrutiny and public discourse surrounding electoral bonds underscore the imperative of transparency in political financing, serving as a litmus test for the strength of India’s democratic institutions.