As accusations rise about x and y political parties being industrialist funded, foreign funded etc., maybe its high time they must be forced to make their accounts public.
Electoral bonds, replaced one opaque system with another. The idea is good, of bringing political donations under the eyes of the RBI and such, but it should be completely public logs and transparent.
There is a case going on in the supreme court right now on electoral bonds (but progressing rather slowly) - https://thewire.in/law/electoral-bonds-sc-questions-anonymity-of-electoral-bonds-and-voters-right-to-information
Even beyond electoral bonds, having monetary power is a big determinant in winning elections. Most of the money spent is undocumented. Here is a sympathetic view: People want to vote for parties that can bring real change and these are parties that have shown the capability to amass power. Hence parties that distribute cash, gifts, alcohol during elections get the sympathy of the people. Or maybe people don’t realise what they are giving away when they vote for people who show them some attention, vs them finding out who is the best suited.
Now they have to make the details of electoral bonds public.
