In a significant development, a Special Court in Bengaluru has ordered the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman over accusations related to the now-scrapped electoral bonds scheme. The complaint, filed by Adarsh Iyer of the Janaadhikara Sangharsha Sanghatane (JSP), alleges that Sitharaman, along with several senior BJP leaders, orchestrated an extortion racket under the guise of the electoral bonds scheme.
The complaint also names BJP President JP Nadda, Karnataka BJP leaders Naleen Kumar Kateel, and BY Vijayendra, accusing them of coercing corporate entities into purchasing electoral bonds worth thousands of crores. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is alleged to have conducted raids on these corporate entities as a pressure tactic.
The complaint claims that the funds obtained through these bonds were cashed by BJP leaders at both national and state levels for political purposes.
Electoral Bonds Scheme Under Scrutiny
The electoral bonds scheme, introduced by the BJP government in 2018, was intended to provide a transparent means for corporate entities and individuals to donate to political parties. However, the scheme has faced criticism, with accusations that it has facilitated the accumulation of illicit funds for political purposes. According to the complaint, Sitharaman and other senior BJP leaders played a role in this process, allegedly using the scheme for extortion and political fundraising.
BJP Defends Nirmala Sitharaman
The BJP has dismissed the allegations against Nirmala Sitharaman as politically motivated, emphasizing that the electoral bonds issue is a policy matter, not a criminal one.
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Party spokesperson Dr Sudha Halkai defended Sitharaman, stating, “These charges are part of a political agenda. The electoral bonds scheme was a legitimate policy decision, not an extortion racket.”
The BJP also criticized Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who is facing an FIR in connection with the ongoing Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) land allotment case. Halkai pointed out that Siddaramaiah himself has a history of corruption allegations, adding, “Siddaramaiah is a habitual offender when it comes to cooperating with investigation agencies. There were 106 cases against Congress leaders during his tenure as Chief Minister.”
Siddaramaiah Questions Double Standards
In response to the BJP’s defense of Sitharaman, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah questioned why senior leaders like Nirmala Sitharaman and former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who is also facing a corruption probe, are not being asked to step down. Siddaramaiah argued that if he is being pressured to resign over the MUDA case, the same standards should apply to Sitharaman and other BJP leaders named in the FIR.
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The Lokayukta police recently registered an FIR against Siddaramaiah, his wife, and other family members over allegations of illegal land allotments by the Mysuru Urban Development Authority. Siddaramaiah has faced growing criticism over the case but has maintained his innocence, accusing his political opponents of attempting to tarnish his reputation.
As the political battle over corruption allegations intensifies, the filing of the FIR against Nirmala Sitharaman could further fuel tensions between the BJP and Congress in Karnataka.
