Party officials contribute varying amounts; Congress says they're converting black money into white.
Charity (read fund raising) for the Bharatiya Janata Party began on February 11 from the official residence of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi at Gandhinagar. The CM donated Rs11 lakh by cheque to the BJP vice-president, Gujarat unit, Kaushik Patel in the presence of the ministers of the state cabinet.
Following the CM's footsteps some of the ministers have also decided to donate Rs. 11 lakh from their pockets. State urban development minister Nitin Patel said, "Whatever fame, respect and the position we have achieved today, is just because of our party. So, there is nothing wrong if we donate to the party funds. Many of our colleagues in the state cabinet have decided to donate Rs11 lakh each."
However, some of the party leaders are keeping their cards close to their chest about the amount they are planning to donate. State BJP president and MLA, RC Faldu, was in Rajkot on Saturday. He said, "I haven't announced my donation to the party, as I am yet to participate in the public function organized for the same. So what is in my heart for the party, I can't say now. I will be announcing the figure at a public function."
Another leader in the party, Member of Parliament from Ahmedabad West, Dr. Kirit Solanki, confirmed that he has donated his bit but didn't reveal the amount. He said, "We all have started the collection from today. I have also donated, but I would like to keep my lips tight on the amount, as it is for the party not for publicity."
Rakesh Shah, president of BJP Ahmedabad city unit submitted the collection of Rs1.51 crore to the district's in-charge minister Anandiben Patel on the first day of the collection. Counselors of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation have donated amount ranging from Rs25,000 to Rs1 lakh.
The Congress has criticised the BJP's move to go public about the fund raising drive. Former deputy chief minister Narhari Amin said, "It is BJP's move to convert black money into white. Their party has collected crores of rupees from the builder's mafia, anti-social elements registered in the police records, black marketers and social and religious institutions. Now they want to show all that money as an official donation. They are misleading the people of the state."
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}