In response to the Supreme Court’s verdict on Thursday, the Congress party expressed its approval, stating that the decision would enhance the power of votes compared to currency notes. Party Secretary Jayaram Ramesh also expressed hope that the Supreme Court would address the opposition’s continuous denial of the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) issue with the Election Commission.
Ramesh took to social media platform ‘X’ to post, “The Supreme Court’s acknowledgment of the Modi government’s widely publicized electoral bond scheme as a violation of both enacted laws and India’s constitution is significant. The long-awaited decision is highly welcome and is expected to strengthen the influence of votes over currency notes.”
He further alleged that the Modi government, by granting special privileges to “contributors,” is subjecting farmers to various forms of abuse. Ramesh questioned, “If everything in the voting process is transparent, then why this insistence?”
Congress senior leader and former Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot, also posted on ‘X’, stating, “The Supreme Court’s decision declaring the electoral bond unconstitutional is historic and praiseworthy. The electoral bond has worked to increase corruption, eliminated transparency in political donations, and directly benefited the ruling party BJP.”
Gehlot claimed, “I have repeatedly said that the electoral bond is one of the biggest scams in independent India. Today’s decision, though delayed, is crucial to saving the country’s democracy. Thanks to the Supreme Court.”
In a separate verdict, the Constitution Bench of five judges led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud heard petitions challenging the scheme, issuing unanimous decisions. Chief Justice Chandrachud remarked that the scheme violates the freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. The bench emphasized that citizens’ fundamental right to political privacy and confidentiality is integral to their right to privacy.
The electoral bond scheme, introduced by the government on January 2, 2018, aimed to provide political parties with a transparent means of political funding by offering alternatives to undisclosed cash donations.
