Shatrughan Sinha’s ‘Chanda Ka Dhanda’ slams BJP for poll bonds

Patna:

Actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha told New Delhi TV that the opposition parties received donations through the electoral bonds scheme but the BJP exploited the system for extortion and extortion. The Trinamool Congress MP was gearing up for the Lok Sabha battle in Asansol in West Bengal and was in Patna when NDTV caught up with him.

Replying to a question about the Trinamool Congress being second on the list of parties receiving donations through the now defunct system, Mr Sinha said: “Has the Trinamool Congress or any other opposition party ever resorted to extortion or extortion? They have Is there pressure to accept donations?” If you don’t donate, the education ministry, CBI and income tax will hold you accountable? Did those who donated through electoral bonds receive contracts worth hundreds of millions of rupees? “

Sinha said it was the BJP that launched the electoral bonds scheme to generate political funds. “You clear the path, what’s the problem if other people step in? They’re not abusing the system or hatching a conspiracy or committing fraud. They’re not committing atrocities or threatening arrest,” he said.

He said the ruling BJP was in the “chanda ka dhanda” (donation business). “You made contracts (based on donations), you arrested people, you threatened people. There’s a huge difference,” he said.

“Whether it is the Trinamool Congress Party or the Samajwadi Party or the Congress Party, they have received money under the system but they have not misused the money, they have not tried to turn it into fear. You cannot compare us with the ruling party, “Mr. Sinha said.

According to data released by the Election Commission of India, the BJP has received the highest funding (Rs 6,986.5 crore) through these bonds since the scheme was implemented in 2018. The Trinamool Congress party is in second place (Rs 1,397 crore) and third (Rs 1,334 crore).

Asked whether the disclosure of electoral bonds is now a poll issue, Sinha agreed. He also pointed to the Election Commission of India’s response to the issue of electronic voting machines. “People feel that the Election Commission has not taken a clear stand on the EVM issue. They are using Shayari to downplay the matter. Truth and transparency are important. It is also important to do the work well and let people see the good work,” he said.

Mr Sinha, who was earlier with the BJP, joined the Congress in 2019 and switched to the Trinamool in 2022. That same year, he won the Asansol parliamentary seat in a by-election.