PM Modi criticizes opposition’s protest for electoral bond system

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Sunday that critics of the electoral bond system would soon rue their opposition as the now-defunct scheme had provided transparency regarding political funding sources. “People who are protesting against electoral bonds will soon regret it. Before 2014, there was no trail of funds given to political parties during elections. I introduced the electoral bonds. Thanks to the electoral bonds, we can now trace the source of funding,” he emphasized during an interview with Thanti TV in Tamil Nadu, which aired on Sunday.

The Supreme Court invalidated the electoral bond scheme on February 15, deeming it unconstitutional and directing the State Bank of India and the Election Commission of India to disclose all details of bonds purchased and encashed from April 2019. This verdict, preceding the Lok Sabha elections, received immediate approval from opposition parties and civil society activists. Notably, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the primary beneficiary of funds across analyzed election cycles, except during the Bihar 2020 election, where it ranked fourth.

Apart from addressing electoral bonds, Modi also commented on the dissolution of the alliance between the BJP and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in Tamil Nadu, characterizing the development as a loss for the latter. “Our friendship was strong. If there is any regret, it should be from the AIADMK side, not the BJP,” he remarked. He further stated, “Only those who are committing sins by destroying the dreams of Amma (AIADMK chief late J Jayalalithaa) should regret, not us.”

In September of the previous year, the AIADMK withdrew from the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, attributing the decision to differences with Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai.

Furthermore, Modi emphasized that his actions are not solely motivated by electoral gains or the pursuit of power. He pointed out that if winning elections were his sole objective, he would not have prioritized the development of the northeastern region. “If merely winning elections was my goal, I would not have worked for the development of the northeast. I have visited northeastern states more than all of the former prime ministers combined,” he concluded.