'BJP's Hafta Wasooli': Congress Slams Centre's 'Chanda Do, Dhanda Lo Policy' Using Electoral Bonds

In an X post, Congress outlined four alleged corrupt practices of the BJP across various categories: Quid Pro Quo, Hafta Vasooli, Kickbacks, and Money Laundering Through Shell Companies.

File photo of Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh

Source : PTI Images

The Electoral Commission's recent release of electoral data has sparked immediate reactions from political circles, with the Congress party swiftly delving into the disclosed bond data made public by the State Bank of India.

Jairam Ramesh, Congress's general secretary, reiterated the party's call for distinct bond ID numbers to facilitate accurate tracking of donors and recipients. Ramesh shared his initial observations on the Electoral Bonds data in a post on X, pointing out the delayed release despite attempts to postpone it until after the election.

Taking aim at the BJP, the Congress party, in a long X post in Hindi, disclosed that over 1,300 companies and individuals have contributed more than 6,000 crores to the saffron party through electoral bonds since 2019.

Congress identified four alleged corrupt practices of the BJP across various categories: Quid Pro Quo, Hafta Vasooli, Kickbacks, and Money Laundering Through Shell Companies.

Here's How Congress Reacted: 

इलेक्टोरल बांड से जुड़ी जानकारी सामने आने के बाद यह पहला विश्लेषण है जिसे एसबीआई ने चुनाव के बाद तक स्थगित करने के कई हफ़्तों के प्रयास के बाद कल रात सार्वजनिक किया:

•1,300 से अधिक कंपनियों और व्यक्तियों ने इलेक्टोरल बांड के रूप में दान दिया है, जिसमें 2019 के बाद से भाजपा को…

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) March 15, 2024

BJP ने इलेक्टोरल बॉन्ड का दुरुपयोग किया है, 60% इलेक्टोरल बॉन्ड सिर्फ BJP को गए हैं।

ED, CBI, IT का दुरुपयोग कर चंदा लिया गया है और जिन्होंने चंदा दिया है, उन्हें कॉन्ट्रैक्ट मिले हैं।

: कांग्रेस महासचिव (संचार) @Jairam_Ramesh जी pic.twitter.com/dUlI93saTn

— Congress (@INCIndia) March 15, 2024

In line with this stance, Congress leader Manickam Tagore also commented on the delayed disclosure of Electoral Bond data, stating, "The BJP attempted to postpone the disclosure, but a Supreme Court order compelled the revelation. This disclosure indicates a clear pattern: among the 1,300 companies purchasing electoral bonds, 6,000 crores have flowed to the BJP. The consistency in donations suggests foul play. The companies making donations seem to receive projects in return". 

#WATCH | Delhi: Congress leader Manickam Tagore says, "BJP tried its best to delay the disclosure of Electoral Bond. But, the Supreme Court order made them to disclose it. This disclosure makes one thing clear, among 1,300 companies which have bought the electoral bond, 6,000… pic.twitter.com/JsHRBIjCoj

— ANI (@ANI) March 15, 2024

Tagore also addressed the issue of election commissioners' appointments, alleging interference by the ruling party. "The Election Commission previously had independent commissioners. However, since the rise of PM Modi and Amit Shah in Delhi, there have been attempts to influence the commission by appointing loyalists," he told ANI.