Congress To Launch 'Donate For Desh' Crowdfunding On Dec 18, BJP Questions Intentions
The Congress announced on December 18 that it will launch a nationwide crowdfunding campaign called 'Donate for Desh' to raise funds for the party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The Congress party announced on Saturday that it will launch a nationwide crowdfunding campaign called 'Donate for Desh' on December 18, to raise funds for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In response, the BJP slammed the move, accusing the opposition of attempting to divert public funds to benefit the Gandhis. The BJP cited a recent large cash seizure during income tax raids linked to a Congress MP.
The campaign is set to launch on Monday in Delhi, with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge leading the initiative. Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal and Treasurer Ajay Maken revealed that individuals above 18 can contribute a minimum of Rs 138 or multiples like Rs 1,380 to support the campaign.
The Indian National Congress is proud to announce the launch of its online crowdfunding campaign, 'Donate for Desh'. This initiative is inspired by Mahatma Gandhi ji's historic 'Tilak Swaraj Fund' in 1920-21 and aims to empower our party in creating an India rich in equal…
— Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) December 16, 2023
Venugopal mentioned that the crowdfunding initiative drew inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi's 'Tilak Swaraj Fund,' established over a hundred years ago in 1920-21. The objective is to strengthen the party's efforts in building an India with equitable resource distribution and opportunities.
The Congress had previously launched an 'outreach-cum-crowdfunding' campaign before the last general elections in 2018, but it didn't gain substantial traction.
According to a PTI report, sources within the Congress suggest financial constraints, alleging a shortage of funds to counter the "well-oiled BJP poll machinery". The party accuses the BJP of benefiting disproportionately from electoral bonds, asserting that the system is skewed in favour of the ruling party.
"Our inaugural campaign -- 'Donate for Behtar Bharat' -- commemorates the 138-year journey of the Indian National Congress. Embracing our history, we invite supporters to donate in multiples of Rs 138, symbolising the party's enduring commitment to a better India," stated Venugopal.
Meanwhile, at the BJP's national headquarters, national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla slammed the Congress, claiming that those who had previously "looted India for 60 years" were now seeking donations from the same country, news agency PTI reported. He claimed that the 'Donate for Desh' campaign is intended to divert attention away from the party's recent corruption allegations.
BJP's IT department head Amit Malviya echoed the criticism, expressing skepticism about the campaign's intentions. He claimed that the initiative would likely result in diverting public funds to enrich the Gandhis, PTI report said.
The Income-tax department raids against an Odisha-based distillery firm linked to Congress MP Dhiraj Sahu's family recently concluded, seizing a record cash amount of Rs 351 crore.
The 'Donate for Desh' campaign is scheduled to officially launch on December 18, with the donation link going live simultaneously. According to a statement issued by the grand old party, the initial phase will primarily be online, transitioning to ground campaigns after December 28, the party's foundation day.
State-level office bearers, elected representatives, and various party officials will be encouraged to contribute to the campaign, aiming for broader participation and financial support, a PTI report said.
A "mammoth rally" is also planned in Nagpur on December 28 to commemorate the party's 138th foundation day, expecting the attendance of at least 10 lakh people.
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