Electoral bonds are 'legalised bribery', says Chidambaram

PTI

New Delhi, September 30

Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Saturday described electoral bonds as "legalised bribery" and claimed that, as their fresh tranche opens on October 4, it will be a "golden harvest" for the BJP.

The government on Friday approved the issuance of the 28th tranche of electoral bonds that will open for sale for 10 days beginning October 4.

The decision comes ahead of assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram. The poll dates in these states are likely to be announced soon.

In a post on X, Chidambaram noted that the 28th tranche of the electoral bonds will open on October 4 and said, "It will be a golden harvest for the BJP. Going by the past records, 90 per cent of the so-called anonymous donations will go to the BJP."

Electoral bonds are "legalised bribery", Chidambaram said.

Electoral bonds have been pitched as an alternative to cash donations made to political parties as part of efforts to bring transparency to political funding.

The sale of the first batch of electoral bonds took place in March 2018. The State Bank of India  is the only bank authorised to issue electoral bonds.

Electoral bonds can be purchased by Indian citizens or entities incorporated or established in the country.

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