Former Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale has slammed the Election Commission for failing to respond to an RTI request regarding the NCPI. The TMC alleges that unregistered political parties are being used as conduits for money laundering.

  • Saket Gokhale filed an RTI on June 16 seeking NCPI's registration and financial records.
  • The Election Commission has allegedly not responded for over 84 days.
  • 20 TMC-elected Lok Sabha MPs shifted loyalties to the obscure NCPI.
  • Concerns raised over RUPPs being used for tax evasion and money laundering.

In a pointed press conference in New Delhi, former Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale alleged a deliberate lack of transparency by the Election Commission (EC). Gokhale stated that an RTI application filed on June 16, seeking critical data on the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), has remained unanswered for 84 days, far exceeding the statutory limit for RTI responses.

The controversy centers on the NCPI, a Registered Unrecognised Political Party (RUPP) that gained sudden prominence after 20 Lok Sabha MPs, originally elected on TMC tickets, shifted their allegiance to the outfit. The RTI sought details on the party's constitution, audited accounts, election expenditure, and contribution reports filed under Section 29C of the Representation of the People Act.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this incident highlights a systemic loophole in India's political funding. The rise of RUPPs that receive massive donations but fail to field competitive candidates suggests a pattern of financial manipulation rather than genuine political mobilization.

"The opacity surrounding registered unrecognised parties creates a sanctuary for illicit funds to enter the political ecosystem under the guise of tax-exempt donations."

Gokhale drew parallels with a recent report indicating that six similar parties in Gujarat allegedly received contributions totaling ₹1,700 crore despite abysmal electoral participation. He argued that because contributions to political parties are tax-exempt, these entities are frequently used as conduits for money laundering, questioning why the EC has not initiated a crackdown on such entities.

Furthermore, the TMC has questioned the legitimacy of the NCPI's organizational structure. Gokhale alleged that the party has failed to file contribution reports for the last two years, raising the question of how 20 sitting MPs could join the party without a rigorous verification of its credentials. A second RTI has been filed with the Lok Sabha Secretariat to track the official communications regarding the MPs' defection.

Did You Know?: Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) are those that are registered with the EC but do not meet the specific percentage of votes or seats required to be officially 'recognized' as a state or national party.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the NCPI in this context?
The Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) is a registered but unrecognized political party that recently saw a mass influx of former TMC MPs.

2. Why is the RTI response delay significant?
Under the RTI Act, responses are typically required within 30 days. A delay of 84 days suggests a potential attempt to shield the party from public scrutiny.