Union Minister Nitin Gadkari defends electoral bonds: Vital for political party functioning

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has come out in support of the electoral bonds scheme, which was introduced in 2017 but recently deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Gadkari defended the scheme as a necessary tool for political parties to function effectively, emphasizing the critical role of funds in running a political party. 

Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, Gadkari asserted that the scheme was initiated with good intentions by the central government, acknowledging the importance of financial resources for all political parties. He highlighted the lack of government funding for political parties in India and explained that the electoral bonds system was adopted to provide direct funding to parties while maintaining donor anonymity, particularly to prevent issues when the ruling party changes. Drawing parallels with media organizations that require sponsors for events. 

Gadkari underscores the practical necessity for political parties to secure funds for election campaigns and other activities. He stressed the importance of transparency in party financing and expresses willingness to address any shortcomings in the electoral bonds scheme, should the Supreme Court provide further direction. Ultimately, Gadkari emphasized the essential role of transparent and value-based democracy, asserting that financial resources are indispensable for political parties to function effectively in serving the interests of the country.