MyVoice: Views of our readers 8th September 2026

Every rupee of political funding must be accountable

Apropos ‘Rs 17k-cr donation to six unknown Gujarat parties raises concerns’ (THI Sept 7). The reported donations of over Rs 1,700 crore to six obscure political parties that barely contested elections raise serious questions about money flow in our democracy. Whether or not these allegations are proven, the sheer scale demands a thorough and transparent investigation. When public trust in institutions is already fragile, such unexplained sums only deepen cynicism. The government cannot afford to dismiss this as mere media speculation. Beyond this case, a pattern of governance issues, from highway collapses to temple donation irregularities, points to a systemic problem. The promise of clean governance must be backed by action, not just slogans. India deserves accountability, transparency, and a political culture where every rupee of political funding can be traced and justified. Silence is no longer an option.

K Chidanand Kumar, Wayanad-673576

Political donations merit a thorough inquiry

With reference to “Rs 17k-cr donation to six unknown Gujarat parties raises concerns”, the reported donations merit a careful inquiry, but it is important that the process remains independent and evidence-based. The authorities should establish whether the parties were genuine, whether the donations were properly recorded and whether any laws were violated. If irregularities are found, appropriate action should follow. Political parties should cooperate with such inquiries rather than dismissing questions as partisan attacks. A credible investigation would do more to protect democracy.

S P Suganya Devi, Coimbatore

Voters must know who finances political parties

This is further to “Rs 17k-cr donation to six unknown Gujarat parties raises concerns”. Voters have a right to know who finances political parties and how that money is spent. The reported donations to six little-known Gujarat parties show why political finance should not remain an opaque subject. A searchable public database, updated regularly, would make it easier for citizens and journalists to examine donations, party expenditure and election performance. The database should also disclose whether a party is active, dormant or under review. Such information would discourage the creation of parties merely to receive funds. Transparency need not be complicated. It requires timely disclosure, accessible records and a regulator willing to enforce the rules without fear or favour.

Abbharna Bbarathi, Chennai-23

Periodic audit can streamline the process

With reference to “Rs 17k-cr donation to six unknown Gujarat parties raises concerns” (THI, Sept 7). The reported figures are disturbing, but the larger issue is whether our regulatory institutions act promptly when unusual financial patterns emerge. If six parties received substantial donations despite limited electoral activity, the relevant authorities should have examined the transactions at the time. A periodic audit of political parties, including their donations and expenditure, would help detect irregularities early. The findings should be placed in the public domain, subject to legitimate privacy safeguards. Such action must apply equally to parties across the political spectrum. Selective scrutiny weakens the credibility of the entire system. Independent institutions must demonstrate that financial accountability is not optional.

M Barathi, Bengaluru-560076

Mandate every registered party to publish annual accounts

Political parties cannot expect public trust while treating financial information as a private matter. The reported donations to six small parties deserve an explanation, particularly if their electoral activity was limited. Every registered party should publish annual accounts in a standard format, including donations, expenditure and the number of candidates fielded. This would make it easier to distinguish genuine political activity from organisations that exist purely on paper. The government should also consider whether the present rules for party registration are adequate. The purpose is not to discourage new political movements, but to ensure that registration is not misused for financial transactions unrelated to democratic participation.

A Senthil Kumar, Kaniyur-641659

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The Hans India