Election bond schemes are an extortion plot intended to overthrow governments and destroy political parties: Gandhi Rahul

Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Congress, intensified his criticism of the central government, headed by the BJP, on Saturday, branding the electoral bonds program an extortion plan designed to destroy political parties and overthrow governments.

Before leaving for Mumbai, he was giving a speech to the populace in Jambhali Naka in Thane, Maharashtra, as part of his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.

“The electoral bonds scheme is an international-level extortion racket and those who protest, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Income Tax Department go after them,” he said.

“It’s an extortion racket used for toppling governments led by opposition parties, and for breaking political parties,” Gandhi said.

“Do you think Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLAs in Maharashtra ran away for free?” pointing to a rift between the two parties brought up by the uprisings headed by Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde, respectively, he questioned.

Although they make up more than 80% of the population, people from underprivileged backgrounds, Dalits, Adivasis, minorities, and the general poor are disproportionately underrepresented in positions of leadership in both the public and commercial sectors, according to Gandhi.

He said that during the epidemic, COVID-19 killed 50 lakh people in India.

On Saturday, March 16, 2024, during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Thane, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi speaks to the gathering.
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“When people were dying of coronavirus, vaccine-maker Serum Institute of India donated money to PM Modi in the form of electoral bonds,” said the Congress politician.

Gandhi also claimed that no impoverished people attended the dedication ceremony of the Ayodhya Ram temple, only famous actors and wealthy businessmen.

“Even the President of India (Droupadi Murmu) was not allowed (at the event) as she is an Adivasi,” he said.

Gandhi was accompanied by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Kedar Dighe and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Jitendra Awhad as his yatra arrived Thane.

He was greeted by Samajwadi Party MLA Raees Sheikh in Bhiwandi in the district.