Rahul Gandhi Unleashes Scathing Questions on EC Over Rs 4300 Crore 'Mystery Donations' in Gujarat

In a powerful broadside aimed at India's electoral watchdog, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has ignited a fierce debate, demanding unequivocal answers from the Election Commission (EC) regarding a staggering Rs 4,300 crore in donations reportedly channeled to "unknown" political parties in Gujarat over an 18-year period.

Gandhi's sharp questioning stems from a damning audit report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), which brought to light these colossal sums.

The core of his concern lies in the disturbing revelation that these alleged beneficiary parties were not officially registered with the Election Commission, raising serious red flags about the transparency and integrity of political funding in the state.

Taking to a prominent social media platform, Gandhi did not mince words.

"The CAG report from 2012 revealed that in Gujarat, for 18 years, donations worth Rs 4300 crore were given to such parties which were not registered with the Election Commission," he asserted. His statement directly challenged the EC's role, asking, "Why didn't the Election Commission declare these parties 'defunct'? Why didn't it take action against these parties?"

The Congress stalwart further amplified his argument by referencing the specific details from the 2012 CAG report.

This report meticulously documented instances where political parties failed to submit their annual audit reports and contributions reports to the EC. Alarmingly, it highlighted significant donations received by unregistered parties, particularly in Gujarat and Maharashtra, accumulating to a nationwide total of Rs 4,772 crore in the years preceding the report.

Gandhi's interrogation isn't merely about financial discrepancies; it's a fundamental challenge to the very foundation of electoral fairness.

He underscored that the Election Commission, as the custodian of India's democratic process, bears the paramount responsibility to ensure that elections are not only free and fair but also transparent in every aspect, especially concerning financial flows.

His questions resonate deeply with public demand for greater accountability in political funding.

The revelation of such a massive amount allegedly routed through opaque channels to non-existent or unregistered entities casts a shadow on the credibility of the electoral system. Gandhi's move puts immense pressure on the Election Commission to clarify its stance, explain the alleged oversight, and outline concrete steps to prevent such anomalies from recurring.

As the nation gears up for crucial elections, Gandhi's allegations serve as a potent reminder of the ongoing struggle for transparency in Indian politics.

The ball is now firmly in the Election Commission's court to provide comprehensive answers and restore public trust in the integrity of political donations and the electoral process.