In Hyderabad, a meeting was held by Bharat Jodo Abhiyaan and Telangana People’s JAC (TPJAC) at Madina Education Centre. Renowned Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan and senior social activist Anjali Bharadwaj criticized the Centre’s electoral bonds scheme, calling it the biggest scam in India.
During the meeting, Bhushan stated that the BJP government is abusing institutions and that the 2024 elections will determine the future of democracy and the Constitution in India. He spoke about electoral bonds, the Election Commission, and the dangers to democracy during Elections 2024.
Bhushan, who led the case on electoral bonds, claimed that the scale of corruption extended beyond the Rs 8,400 crore received by the BJP through electoral bonds. He alleged that contracts and projects worth lakhs of crores were awarded in exchange for electoral bonds. He also highlighted gaps in election norms, such as the spending cap on individual candidates versus parties.
He pointed out how the BJP has been harming democracy by abusing institutions like ED, CBI, IT Dept, and targeting opposition leaders. Bhushan also criticized the weakening of Election Commission, CAG, and the appointment of RSS members in key positions.
Anjali Bharadwaj of Common Cause, another petitioner in the Electoral bonds case, discussed threats to the Constitution. She highlighted issues like clampdown on people’s right to question, weakening of pro-people laws, and institutions failing in their responsibilities. She emphasized the impact of electoral bonds on anti-people laws like farm laws and labor codes.
The speakers urged citizens to question, vote wisely, and pressure authorities to uphold democracy and the Constitution. Prof. Haragopal of TPJAC emphasized the importance of dissent in democracy and criticized BJP’s attempts to suppress dissent using draconian laws. He called for citizens to stand up for democracy and condemned statements from government officials praising electoral bonds.
