The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has expressed unwavering support for the Electoral Bonds scheme, recently deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, asserting that its long-term benefits remain to be seen and emphasizing that the government harbors no regrets about its implementation.
During a press interaction, Singh responded to the Supreme Court’s concerns about potential ‘quid pro quo’ issues by stating the government’s respect for the court’s authority and its readiness to accept any final decisions. He highlighted the broader implications of transparency in political donations, suggesting that demands for donor disclosures could logically extend to revealing individual voting choices.
The Electoral Bonds scheme, intended to anonymize contributions to political parties, was halted by the Supreme Court in a February ruling, leading to an immediate cessation of bond issuances by the State Bank of India. The Election Commission of India has since made related data accessible on its website, following court directives.
Additionally, Singh critiqued the Congress party’s pledge to abolish the ‘Agniveer scheme,’ which he praised as a transformative initiative for military recruitment, offering advanced training and future career opportunities for young recruits. He accused Congress of making unrealistic promises due to their low prospects of winning the upcoming elections and argued that such promises were misleading to the nation’s youth.
Singh also rebuked the previous Congress governments for their alleged neglect of military personnel’s needs and emphasized that political efforts should aim at national development rather than merely striving for governmental power. The Defence Minister’s comments underscore a significant ideological divide between the ruling party and the opposition in the context of national security and political financing.