Supriya Shrinate Alleges Attempt to Conceal Electoral Bond Donors, Calls for Transparency

Image Source : Video Screen Grab | Press Conference | INC |FB

Dated 05th March 2024

By B R Abdul Wajid

Editor in Chief

New Delhi | In a press conference today, Congress spokesperson and Chairperson, Social Media & Digital Platforms, INC Supriya Shrinate raised concerns over the delay in revealing the names of Electoral Bond donors by the State Bank of India (SBI). Shrinate emphasized the significance of transparency in electoral funding, stating that the SBI’s request for a five-month extension until June 30, 2024, to disclose the names is alarming.

“The SBI, as India’s largest lender, equipped with advanced technology and a vast network, should not require such an extended period to compile data on just 22,217 Electoral Bonds,” Shrinate remarked.

Highlighting the disproportionate distribution of Electoral Bond funds, Shrinate revealed staggering figures indicating that two-thirds of the total amount collected between 2017 and 2023 went to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while the Congress received a mere 9%.

“The reluctance to disclose donor names raises questions about accountability and transparency in our democracy,” Shrinate stated. She accused the SBI and the government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, of attempting to conceal donor identities through Electoral Bonds.

Shrinate emphasized the importance of upholding the Supreme Court’s order for transparency in electoral donations, describing the delay in disclosing donor names as a betrayal of democratic principles. She urged for public awareness and scrutiny, asserting that transparency in electoral funding is essential for the integrity of democracy.

“The attempt to conceal donor names undermines the spirit of the Supreme Court’s directive for absolute transparency in electoral donations,” Shrinate concluded.

The Congress spokesperson’s remarks come amid growing concerns over electoral funding transparency and accountability in India’s political landscape. The delay in revealing Electoral Bond donors has sparked debates and calls for greater transparency in political financing.

HIGHLIGHTS | VIDEO of the Press Conference | Source : Indian National Congress | FB.