Corruption is just a BJP bogey

Maharashtra leaders should combat political corruption by banning corporate fundraising, verifying member contributions, and introducing state sponsorship of political parties. The nation can only get rhetoric from the Bharatiya Janata Party and fueled attacks on opposition parties.

Before the Emergency, Jayaprakash Narayan warned the country in Towards Free and Fair Elections against political finance tainting democracy. Money raised for Parliamentary and state elections, party management, and overthrowing opposition governments is alleged to carry corruption from political to other fields, according to JP.

Modi government introduces Electoral Bond Scheme, 2018, allowing BJP to gain advantage over Opposition by allowing donors to purchase EBs. The Central government is fear to access SBI data to threaten those contributing to the Opposition with dire action.

The BJP has a significant advantage in obtaining funds through EBs, reclaiming 65% of R6,500 crore from 2017-18 to 2020-21. EBs now make up 83% of the income of political parties, accounting for 83% of R2,172 crore. The BJP manages politicians and exploits Central agencies, particularly the Enforcement Directorate, to discredit and fear opposition leaders in corruption cases.

The BJP claims to investigate corruption against Opposition leaders as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolve. However, these claims are render hollow with the induction of four Nationalist Congress Party MLAs into the Maharashtra Cabinet. The BJP develops amnesia about corruption allegations against Opposition leaders as soon as they join the party. Former Chief Election Commissioner S Y Qureshi proposed R100 payment for every vote, with annual transfer equal to total polled votes multiplied by R100. However, this method would disadvantage political parties born between two elections, as seen with the AAP.

The 1998 Indrajit Gupta Committee and 1999 Law Commission supported State funding for elections, suggesting creating an Election Fund to secure contributions from individuals and corporations, incentivizing tax breaks. Corporations should be prohibit from directly donating to political parties, and payment of membership fees should be link to Aadhaar. Corruption remains a bogey for the ruling party, scaring politicians and alienating voters, as Modi’s BJP does.