Madhya Pradesh BJP to discourage cash donation

BHOPAL: While the Congress and BJP hold similar views on protecting sources of party fund, the BJP shortly after demonetisation asked its all state units to open bank accounts in each district and not to accept cash donations, unless exceptional.

A meeting of state BJP comprising district units was convened on Friday to set a target of Ajeevan Sahyog Nidhi'(lifetime party fund) at Rs11 crore for 2017 against Rs 8 crore decided for 2016.

The party has decided to deposit collected lifetime donations on February 11, observed as '

Samarpan Divas

' to mark the death anniversary of BJP ideologue Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay. On this occasion, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will also be present, informed the meeting. The State unit will deposit Rs 11 crore in party fund on February 11.

As party's state and district office-bearers, treasurers, district in-charge and heads of lifetime party fund committees were present at the meeting. Chartered accountant Veni Thapar, who arrived from Delhi, gave a presentation on methods of accepting party funds and guidelines to be followed by members.

"We have asked party workers to accept party donations through digital mode or cheques. Cash donations will be accepted only when necessary or in exceptional cases. The party will ensure cash donations were received below Rs 20,000," said BJP state president

Nandkumar Singh Chouhan

, on Friday.

As debate on political funding to parties is underway, it was pointed out a major chunk of the money donated to political parties comes from 'unknown sources'. These donations are declared in I-T return, but without giving source of income. Such 'unknown sources' include sale of coupons, relief fund, miscellaneous income, voluntary contributions, contribution from meetings and morchas and political events organised by parties.

But the BJP state head did not clarify on these issues. He said there were several issues, which are likely to be discussed. The party would follow national unit for any clarification. The party has not disclosed the source of funding during previous financial year.

It was Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who during a meeting with parliamentarians asked all BJP MPs should submit their bank statement to party president Amit Shah. The party would make clear why efforts like demonetisation to attack black money are pointless unless political funding is made transparent and audited by an independent agency, said a senior party functionary quoting Modi.

District heads will not encourage cash donations and bank accounts in each district will be opened in name of district head. It was mentioned demonetisation has affected funding in BJP, but the party would stress a transparent policy and ask district heads to submit bank details to the state unit when asked, sources in the BJP said.