AIPC to campaign against electoral bonds, divestment

The All India Professionals Congress (AIPC) will launch a nationwide protest against the electoral bonds which is "a massive fraud" of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre, a top leader said here on Saturday.

"The BJP has utilized the electoral bonds to legitimize the questionable sources of funds by keeping the names of donors anonymous, which is a scam", said national spokesperson of AICC and Maharashtra AIPC President Sanjay Jha.

Addressing the media on Saturday, Jha termed as "worrying" the proposed divestment of Life Insurance Corporation of India through an IPO since the BJP-led government has already bled several PSU and banks, including the Oil & Natural Gas Commission (ONGC).

"We will raise the issue of proposed divestment of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd also, which appears to be a case of selling the family jewels to benefit some crony capitalists," Jha said.

He slammed Prime Minister Naredra Modi for allegedly spreading fake news from a satirical website, 'Faking News' to attribute comments to ex-Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Omar Abdullah.

"Modi has diminished the high standards of the august office of the Prime Minister, and that too in the sacrosanct halls of the Parliament. It was an outrageous remark and must be strongly condemned, especially as it was used to justify high-profile arrests in a sensitive matter. Fake news is a danger to modern democracies and India remains susceptible courtesy BJP's mammoth WhatsApp manufacturing factory", said Jha.

He said elections to the Delhi Assembly would be a crucial test for the future of India's "secular, inclusive democracy" against the backdrop of an atmosphere of authoritarian fascism witnessed in the country in recent years.

AIPC Vice-President Mathew Antony said that over the next few months, AIPC Chairman Dr Shashi Tharoor will spearhead its campaign to expand to urban professionals across India by opening chapters in all 48 Lok Sabha constituencies in Maharashtra this year.

The AIPC will make relevant governance interventions in Maharashtra for the welfare of the people, and create a diverse base of members including corporate executives, lawyers, doctors, chartered accountants, artistes, activists, teachers, professors, home-makers, businessmen, traders, intellectuals and other public personalities, said Antony.