Electoral Bonds Should've Been Improved Instead Of Being Completely Scrapped: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah clarified the BJP's position on electoral bonds, refuting claims of undue advantage.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed respect for the Supreme Court's order on electoral bonds but went on to support the scheme stating that it aimed to eliminate black money from politics and should have been improved rather than scrapped. Speaking at the India Today Conclave, Shah highlighted the BJP's stance on the issue and defended the party against allegations of benefiting disproportionately from electoral bonds.
"Electoral bonds were introduced to end the influence of black money in Indian politics. Everyone has to accept the decision given by the Supreme Court. I fully respect the Supreme Court decision. But I feel that instead of completely scrapping the electoral bonds, it should have been improved," he said, as quoted by news agency PTI.
Shah clarified the BJP's position on electoral bonds, refuting claims of undue advantage. He stated, "Out of the total Rs 20,000 crore electoral bonds, the BJP has got approximately Rs 6,000 crore. Where did the rest of the bonds go?" Shah further emphasised that the BJP received Rs 6,000 crore despite having 303 MPs, while the remaining parties received Rs 14,000 crore against 242 MPs.
"Where did the rest of the bonds go? TMC has got Rs 1,600 crore, Congress got Rs 1,400 crore, BRS got Rs 1,200 crore, BJD got Rs 750 crore and DMK got Rs 639 crore. We have got Rs 6,000 crore despite having 303 MPs and the rest got Rs 14,000 crore against 242 MPs. What is the hue and cry about? I can say that once the accounts are settled they will not be able to face you all," he said, as per PTI.
Amit Shah On 'One Nation, One Election’
Addressing the proposal of 'one nation, one election,' Shah underscored its importance in curbing repeated expenditures and hindrances to government decision-making caused by frequent elections and the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct. He reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision behind the concept and its potential to accelerate development.
"The idea of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP behind one nation, one election is that elections are held again and again in this country and the people are busy in elections and this leads to repeated expenditure. Due to the model code of conduct, many development works come to a halt. One nation, one election is a solution for this," PTI quoted him as saying.
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Amit Shah On Bihar Seat-Sharing, BJP's Prospects In Lok Sabha Election 2024
Regarding the ongoing seat-sharing talks in Bihar, Shah assured that all matters would be resolved within the next week. He expressed confidence in the unity of the NDA in Bihar and predicted a clean sweep in the upcoming elections under the leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
"Everyone is united in NDA in Bihar and this time NDA will win all the seats in Bihar under the leadership of Bharatiya Janata Party," the former BJP president said.
Shah also commented on the political landscape in Delhi, where the Congress and AAP have allied. He asserted the BJP's dominance in the region, citing the party's past electoral performance and expressing optimism about increasing its vote share.
"The BJP got more than 50 per cent votes in all seats of Delhi in the last two Lok Sabha polls and it is going to increase its vote share this time. We are least bothered what they do in the remaining 49 per cent," he remarked.
Reiterating Prime Minister Modi's ambitious electoral target, Shah stated, "The BJP will get more than 370 seats and the NDA over 400 seats." He attributed this confidence to the party's track record and long-term agenda aimed at building a stronger India.
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