<p class="title">Finance Bill: a stage-managed episode</p>.<p class="bodytext">Sir, Apropos "Finance bill: govt's intention suspect" (<span class="italic">DH</span>, Mar 22), the passage of the Finance Bill without any discussion has not only belittled our democracy but also made a mockery of our elected representatives. With such a hasty passage of an important bill, the credibility of Parliament has taken a severe beating. Among the amendments, the one on foreign funding received by political parties has only exposed the true self of our leaders. Having much to hide, both the BJP and the Congress would obviously be the biggest beneficiaries of this retrospective amendment.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The entire episode looks stage-managed by the two parties to save themselves from imminent action, as directed by the Delhi HC in 2016, for having received illegal donations from foreign companies. Come 2019, both these parties would need massive funds for their battle at the hustings. With all strings on funding removed, our nation will no more be immune from foreign pulls and pressures.</p>.<p class="byline">KAMAL LADDHA, Bengaluru</p>
<p class="title">Finance Bill: a stage-managed episode</p>.<p class="bodytext">Sir, Apropos "Finance bill: govt's intention suspect" (<span class="italic">DH</span>, Mar 22), the passage of the Finance Bill without any discussion has not only belittled our democracy but also made a mockery of our elected representatives. With such a hasty passage of an important bill, the credibility of Parliament has taken a severe beating. Among the amendments, the one on foreign funding received by political parties has only exposed the true self of our leaders. Having much to hide, both the BJP and the Congress would obviously be the biggest beneficiaries of this retrospective amendment.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The entire episode looks stage-managed by the two parties to save themselves from imminent action, as directed by the Delhi HC in 2016, for having received illegal donations from foreign companies. Come 2019, both these parties would need massive funds for their battle at the hustings. With all strings on funding removed, our nation will no more be immune from foreign pulls and pressures.</p>.<p class="byline">KAMAL LADDHA, Bengaluru</p>