Electoral bond scheme’s alternative should be found: Amit Shah

Home Minister Amit Shah warns of increased black money influence in elections post electoral bond scheme scrapping. Parliament must decide alternative.

Home Minister Amit Shah believes that the influence of black money will increase during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections following the Supreme Court's decision to scrap the electoral bond scheme, and said it is for Parliament to decide on an alternative.

If the impact of black money rises, then an alternative should be found, he said.

He told PTI in an interview on Saturday that the scheme, which allowed donors to fund political parties anonymously by purchasing bonds from the SBI, was scrapped at an important time.

The Supreme Court had struck down the scheme in February, a month before the Lok Sabha elections were announced.

Replying to a question on the issue, he said, "I believe and this is my guess that it will increase the influence of black money in elections and politics. When political parties submit their account for this fiscal year, then how much money is by cash donation and how much is through cheque will be known. The donation figure by cheques had reached 96% at the time of the bond."

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He added, "Now you will know. If the impact of black money rises, then an alternative should be found. There should be a debate in Parliament."