Welcoming the Supreme Court's order striking down the electoral bonds scheme, the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) – comprising Shiv Sena, Congress and Sharad Pawar-led NCP-- on Thursday tore into the ruling BJP for bringing an “unconstitutional” and “opaque” mode of funding to political parties in the country.
“An `unconstitutional' scheme has been struck down by the Supreme Court! Next, Maharashtra hopes the unconstitutional regime is struck down! Wholeheartedly welcome the decision today to strike down the opaque scheme of electoral bonds. Now we hope that transparency is ensured and every word of the order is followed, in time,” Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said.
NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule said that the Supreme Court’s order declaring the electoral bonds Scheme “unconstitutional” was path-breaking as “it reinforces the importance of transparency and accountability in our democratic system”.
“This landmark ruling has recognized that the anonymity provided by the scheme infringes upon the fundamental right to information enshrined in Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. This is crucial for informed voting and holding political parties accountable,” Supriya said.
“ The electoral bonds scheme institutionalized influenced policy making and legitimized potential corruption under the curtain of anonymity, and yet or rather therefore, was pushed through by the BJP government in the Parliament,” Supriya said
“Today’s verdict is a victory for transparency in political parties and elections, at a time when this reminder was indeed necessary. Together, let’s commit to a future of openness, fairness, and accountability,”the NCP(Sharad Pawar) working president said.
Congress state President Nana Patole hailed the Supreme verdict on electoral bonds by saying that it was Rahul Gandhi who had first opposed the electoral bonds in 2019 which have now been struck down by the country’s top court.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member Priyanka Chaturvedi said all the corporate houses that indulged this government, that became a party to this corruption of electoral practises will be worried now.
“One of the most corrupt tools in BJP’s kitty has been rightfully struck down by the Supreme Court. Only if governments formed through corrupt and unconstitutional practices could also be struck down,” Priyanka said.
