Report Exposes Alleged Extortion Scheme by Modi Govt & Key Agencies

Recent revelations surrounding the Indian PM Narendra Modi and his alleged involvement in an extortion scheme have sent shockwaves across the political landscape. A report by News Laundry has uncovered a disturbing pattern linking donations to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with actions taken by central agencies against certain companies.

According to the report, at least 30 companies facing scrutiny from agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and Income Tax Department, collectively donated nearly Rs 335 crore to the BJP between financial years 2018-19 and 2022-23. What’s even more concerning is that a significant portion of these donations came from companies that had never contributed to the BJP before facing agency actions.

The timing of these donations raises serious questions about the integrity of the investigative process. Several companies donated substantial sums shortly after undergoing raids or investigations, suggesting a quid pro quo arrangement. Additionally, some companies that had previously donated to the BJP saw an increase in their contributions following agency actions, further fueling suspicions of coercion.

This apparent nexus between agency actions and political donations paints a troubling picture of corruption and abuse of power at the highest levels of government. The misuse of investigative agencies for political gain not only undermines the principles of democracy but also erodes public trust in the rule of law.

Furthermore, the report highlights the disproportionate influence of the BJP in political funding, with the party receiving the lion’s share of donations through electoral trusts. This dominance, coupled with the opacity of the electoral bonds scheme, raises concerns about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s tweet underscores the gravity of the situation, likening the Prime Minister’s actions to those of a ‘Vasuli Bhai’—a term commonly associated with extortionists. The implication is clear: the Prime Minister, along with his cronies in government agencies, stands accused of leveraging their positions for personal and political gain at the expense of the Indian public.

INC General Secretary KC Venugopal wrote a letter to the Finance Minister requesting to investigate the allegations of quid-pro-quo dealings between the BJP and donors who were the subject of the Income Tax Department, ED, and CBI raids. He wrote on X (Foremly Twitter), ‘The Enforcement Directorate is the Extortion Department for Modi and Shah. The media revelations of 30 companies being coerced to donate to the BJP show that the entire country’s financial system has been brought to its knees to arrange funding for the ruling regime. Not only is this completely vitiating the level playing field in our democracy, it is also spreading tax terrorism across Indian industry. By fear and intimidation, they have forced companies to donate to them. Such a criminal misuse of agencies must be punished, and the justice system must take note of this egregious violation of constitutional norms‘.

The Supreme Court’s recent decision to strike down the electoral bonds scheme underscores the need for urgent reform to safeguard the integrity of India’s electoral system. The court’s warning about the potential for quid pro quo arrangements should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers to take concrete steps towards greater transparency and accountability in political financing.

In light of these revelations, it is imperative that a thorough and independent investigation be conducted to uncover the truth behind these allegations. The Indian Prime Minister and his government must be held accountable if found guilty of abusing their power for personal or political gain. The future of Indian democracy depends on it.