On Sunday (31st March) Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended the electoral bond system during his visit to Tamil Nadu, stating, “No system is perfect.”
TAMIL NADU: On Sunday (31st March): Prime Minister Narendra Modi dismisses concerns over the electoral bond system, emphasizes the need for improvement, and emphasizes his focus on development in Tamil Nadu.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed concerns regarding the electoral bond system, asserting that it did not cause a setback for his government. He emphasized the importance of the system in identifying the sources of political funding and their beneficiaries.
“I fail to see why I should perceive this as a setback. I firmly believe that those who are celebrating and taking pride in this matter will soon regret their actions.”
He discussed the development initiatives undertaken by his government in Tamil Nadu, highlighting its potential as a driving force for a developed India.
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“No system is perfect. There can be shortcomings which could be improved upon,” he said.
Prime Minister Modi is addressing his government’s introduction of the electoral bond system to bring transparency to political funding. He emphasized that the system enables tracking of the sources of funding and their beneficiaries.
Prior to 2014, when he came to power, there was no mechanism to ascertain the funding sources and beneficiaries during elections. While acknowledging the imperfections of the system, he emphasized the need for continuous improvement.
“Just because I am a politician does not mean I work only to win elections. Tamil Nadu has huge potential which must not be wasted,” he said.
Opposition parties have criticized the electoral bond system, citing recent revelations following a Supreme Court order that made information related to electoral bonds public.
They argue that the practice of anonymous funding is unconstitutional and have raised concerns about several firms facing criminal probes being major purchasers of these bonds. However, the Prime Minister dismissed these criticisms, emphasizing the positive aspects of the system.
Prime Minister Modi addressed the notion that his actions are solely driven by political considerations, stating that he works for the betterment of the country as a whole.
The Prime Minister expressed his commitment to the state, citing the numerous visits made by his government ministers and himself to the Northeastern regions, surpassing the combined visits of all previous prime ministers. He emphasized that his government’s focus on Tamil Nadu is not limited to electoral gains.
“Viksit Bharat defines comprehensive development reaching every part of the nation. I am confident that Tamil Nadu holds the potential to lead our vision of a developed India.”
The Prime Minister highlighted the National Democratic Alliance’s ability to connect various sections of society and represent the aspirations of the people.
He stated that the votes the alliance receives in Tamil Nadu will not be anti-DMK but pro-BJP. He commended Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai for attracting the youth and emphasized that the BJP has worked for the state’s development even when it did not have a single municipal candidate.
Prime Minister Modi expressed regret over the politicization of the Tamil language, stating that it has been detrimental not only to Tamil Nadu but also to the entire nation. He also mentioned opposition parties, who have accused the BJP of undermining regional languages, and emphasized the need to promote the Tamil language and culture. Drawing a parallel with the global popularity of Tamil cuisine, he called for similar promotion of the Tamil dialect.
