AAP fundraising grub not appealing to BJP

The Aam Aadmi Party claimed that it has raised Rs 1.5 crore in “clean money” from fundraising luncheons in Mumbai and Delhi. But the BJP doesn’t seem to agree.

The BJP on Monday said that it will ask the finance ministry to launch a probe into the books of those attending the AAP-organised Rs 20,000 per plate dinners and lunches.

Alleging discrepancy in the accounts of the party, BJP Delhi general secretary Ashish Sood said the AAP didn’t disclose the names of some 200 businessmen, who attended the fundraising initiative in Mumbai and Delhi, despite claiming transparency in raising funds.

He alleged that the luncheons organised by the AAP is a cover-up for donations raised through “illegal” means, adding that a delegation of state BJP leaders will soon meet the finance minister.

Boosted by the response to these fundraising initiatives, the AAP has set up a target of Rs 30 crore for the Delhi polls.

Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia said their “raid-free” 49 days in government is resonating with the business community. He said the party will organise more such fundraising lunches and dinners ahead of the Delhi elections.

“During the lunch, I went to all the tables one by one and had question-answer sessions with them. When people feel convinced with the answers, they end up donating more than they desired,” said Sisodia.

The AAP collected Rs 50 lakh from some 125 traders at the lunch in Delhi on Sunday.
Claiming that at least 200 raids are conducted daily, the former minster said, “Arvind Kejriwal has consistently maintained that a majority of traders want to do their business with honesty, and raids on them by different departments are aimed at harassing them and in fact extracting money from them.”

The BJP, however, said support of traders is not the only money spinner for the party. It alleged that AAP leaders, through their NGOs, are diverting funds to their anti-corruption party.

The city is replete with AAP hoardings that cost anything between Rs 1-2 lakh, BJP leader Ramesh Bidhuri BJP said, even though the elections are yet to be announced.