Nirmala Sitharaman should resign on moral grounds: Congress on extortion allegations against FM
New Delhi: The Congress has demanded Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's resignation "on moral grounds" after the Bharatiya Janata Party leader has been named in a First Information Report following allegations of extortion involving the now-defunct electoral bonds.
The complaint, filed by Adarsh Iyer from Janaadhikara Sangharsha Sanghatane, accused Sitharaman and others of using the electoral bonds for extortion, reports say.
As a result, the Special Court for People's Representatives in Bengaluru has ordered the FIR, which has been registered against Sitharaman and other accused parties.
Speaking to ANI, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "... The ED, IT and CBI have been misused, threats were made to secure funds... The FIR has not been registered by the Congress but a special court on the basis of a complaint filed by an individual. This is the main issue in Karnataka. The Union Finance Minister should resign on moral grounds."
#WATCH | On Bengaluru court allows FIR against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman over electoral bonds issue, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh says, "...The Union Finance Minister should resign on moral grounds." pic.twitter.com/qELQe4lC8C
— ANI (@ANI) September 30, 2024
The electoral bonds scheme, introduced by the Centre in 2018 to replace cash donations to political parties and aimed at enhancing transparency in political funding, was declared "unconstitutional" by the Supreme Court in February, which stated it violated citizens' right to information.
Reacting to the FIR, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called for Sitharaman's resignation and demanded a report on the investigation be submitted within three months.
"An FIR has been registered against Nirmala Sitharaman in the Special Court for People's Representatives. Who is she? She is a Union Minister, and there is an FIR against her too. They were involved in extortion through electoral bonds, and the FIR has been registered on that. She should tender her resignation after the FIR has been registered. Will they (BJP) ask her to resign?" he was quoted as saying by India Today.
He further added, "Now, as per Section 17A (of the Prevention of Corruption Act), the investigation must be completed and a report should be submitted within three months. Based on that, they have registered the FIR and are investigating further."
Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act requires prior approval from a competent authority before investigating any allegations against public servants, providing additional protection against frivolous charges.
Siddaramaiah himself will also be investigated under Section 17A in connection with alleged irregularities in the MUDA case.
Top Headlines
-
News
PE firm TA Associates' strategic investment in VeeHealthtek
November 19, 2024
-
News
Manipur unrest: Civil society sets 24-hr deadline for BJP MLAs to take 'decisive action'
November 19, 2024
-
News
Delhi chokes as air quality remains in 'severe plus' category amid curb on several daily activities
November 19, 2024
-
News
Keir Starmer meets Narendra Modi in Brazil, announces relaunch of UK-India free trade agreement talks
November 19, 2024
-
News
Tirumala trust asks non-Hindu staffers to retire or opt for transfer
November 19, 2024
-
News
Manipur's unabated violence kills 1 more in Jiribam, Amit Shah schedules meeting today
November 18, 2024
-
News
Former Delhi minister Kailash Gahlot joins BJP a day after quitting AAP
November 18, 2024
-
News
Delhi records season's worst AQI, train and flight services hit, schools shifted to online mode
November 18, 2024
-
News
Bengal: 17 arrested in clashes between two groups in Murshidabad's Beldanga over Kartik Puja pandal row
November 18, 2024
-
News
DRDO conducts successful flight-trial of first long-range hypersonic missile
November 17, 2024