Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that electoral bonds serve as a tool for extracting funds from corporate giants under pressure from investigative agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the income tax department. Speaking to reporters in Bhiwandi on Friday, Gandhi accused the Prime Minister of orchestrating what he termed the world’s largest extortion racket.

Gandhi criticized the electoral bond system, initially proposed as a means to cleanse political financing in India, alleging that it was being misused to coerce major corporate entities into funding the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in exchange for lucrative contracts nationwide. He asserted that these funds were subsequently utilized to destabilize governments in several states, including Maharashtra. His remarks came shortly after the Election Commission of India released data on electoral bonds in compliance with a Supreme Court directive.

During his Maharashtra leg of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, which concludes with a rally at Shivaji Park on March 17, Gandhi highlighted instances where companies previously unaffiliated with the BJP allegedly made contributions through electoral bonds following investigations by agencies like the ED and CBI. He claimed that these transactions were facilitated through shell companies and were made in exchange for government contracts.

Responding to queries about the Congress receiving funds via electoral bonds, Gandhi emphasized that opposition parties did not wield control over investigative agencies like the ED and CBI, nor did they engage in practices such as phone surveillance through tools like Pegasus. He emphasized that these activities were under the direct purview of the Prime Minister and the BJP.

Gandhi concluded by warning that those engaged in corrupt practices would face repercussions once there was a change in government, promising decisive action to prevent such malpractices from recurring. Regarding his electoral plans for the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, Gandhi deferred to the decision of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and the central election committee of the party, affirming his commitment to abide by the party’s directives.