Jaya Thakur, one of the petitioners alongside the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and CPI(M) in the appeal to annul the electoral bonds scheme, expressed contentment with the recent decision of the Supreme Court regarding the State Bank of India. She remarked that the court’s decision reflected the gravity of the matter. Represented by advocate Varun Thakur, she conveyed her satisfaction with the outcome.
A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court, on Monday, rejected the State Bank of India’s request for an extension and instructed it to provide electoral bonds details to the Election Commission by the end of business hours on March 12. Additionally, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud-led bench mandated the publication of these details on the Election Commission’s official website by 5 pm on March 15.
Jaya Thakur, associated with the Congress party and a practicing doctor, hails from Banda in Sagar district, Madhya Pradesh. She holds the position of General Secretary within the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee.
Recently, Jaya Thakur filed a plea in the Supreme Court urging the Centre not to appoint two election commissioners in accordance with the new law enacted in December 2023, especially with the Lok Sabha polls 2024 looming. Her action came after Election Commissioner Arun Goel’s resignation on March 9, which was accepted by the President.
In an interview with Rediff.com, Jaya Thakur voiced her concerns about the dwindling transparency in election funding due to the introduction of the electoral bonds scheme. She highlighted the repercussions this lack of transparency might have on democracy, emphasizing the importance of disclosing the names of corporate donors to political parties, irrespective of their affiliations.
Jaya Thakur stressed that she doesn’t perceive the verdict as detrimental to the interests of the Congress party. Instead, she advocated for transparency in funding, asserting that all parties should disclose the identities of their corporate donors.
