Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge slams BJP; says ‘links SBI electoral bond move to Lok Sabha polls’

Reacting to the State Bank of India’s request for an extension to disclose details about electoral bonds, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Modi government of utilizing the bank to conceal its alleged “dubious dealing.”

Following a Supreme Court order for SBI to reveal bond details by March 6, the bank sought an extension until June 30. Kharge criticized the electoral bonds scheme, calling it opaque and undemocratic, and accused the BJP of benefiting the most. He claimed the government was hiding questionable dealings, questioning the need for a 4-month extension to collate donor information. Kharge alleged the Modi government bulldozed institutions to fill BJP’s coffers and is using SBI to undermine the Supreme Court’s judgment.

Kharge asserted, “Congress party was crystal clear that the Electoral Bonds scheme was opaque, undemocratic and destroyed the level playing field. But the Modi government, PMO and FM bulldozed every institution – RBI, Election Commission, Parliament and Opposition to fill BJP’s coffers.”

Congress MP Manish Tewari urged the Supreme Court not to let SBI escape accountability on Electoral Bonds, emphasizing the public’s right to know before the General Elections. Rahul Gandhi questioned why the SBI resisted making information public, especially when the Supreme Court emphasized the people’s right to know about electoral bonds.

SBI defended the delay, citing the anonymous nature of donations and the need to retrieve information from separate silos. Last month, the Supreme Court declared the scheme violated the right to information and freedom of speech and expression.