The Delhi Congress is reported to have asked its former MlAs, MPs and Ministers and others who had contested previous polls to contribute Rs1 lakh each within a week to the party coffers, according to sources.
Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken and in charge of Delhi affairs, PC Chacko held a meeting with State unit leaders and directed them to contribute money. Insiders said all former MlAs, MPs, councilors and those who had contested the previous elections, have been directed to contribute Rs1 lakh each.
The Congress has been facing financial crisis these days, said insiders, adding that the party has identified at least 100 such members who would be asked to contribute Rs1 lakh each to meet the expenses of its respective State units.
Insiders said financial condition of State unit remained bad even when the Congress ruled in the national Capital for 15 years. MlAs and Ministers were forced to ask to pay one month salary to the organisation, said sources, adding that currently each Congress MP and State legislator have to contribute one month’s salary to the organisation.
It is reported that each All India Congress Committee member has to contribute Rs600 annually to the party, while members of the Pradesh Congress committee have to give Rs300 each to the State unit. The additional money will be raised only after the party’s ongoing membership drive has been completed, said sources.
Three months ago, veteran Congress treasurer Motilal Vora, in a “not-to-be-ignored” circular, had asked the party state units, Pradesh (PCC) and District Congress Committees (DCC) to collect a nominal Rs250 as annual subscription fee from all existing party members and new members.
It would be pertinent to mention that with corporate donations are all but drying up the Congress is exploring several options, said sources. In a power point presentation, Rahul Gandhi acolyte Mohan Gopal had suggested that every office-bearer be asked to send a separate fee of Rs1,000 a year, anyone wanting to contest for PCC chief Rs5,000, anyone contributing Rs1 lakh could become a lifetime member of the Congress and donor card to anyone offering Rs1 crore. He even proposed 10 per cent funds to be distributed among the people responsible for membership. However, Gopal’s proposal was rejected at a meeting chaired by AK Antony.