Modi rally source of funds questioned

Congress and Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday questioned the source of “huge” funds and “extravagant arrangements” being made for Sunday’s rally here to be addressed by Narendra Modi.

City Congress president J P Agarwal said such expenditure was reflective of the party’s “culture”.

“There is a disconnect between what BJP says and what it does. They talk about issues affecting the poor, but see the way they are splurging money for the rally,” said Agarwal.
AAP alleged that money earned through “illegal means” is being spent for the rally.
“Money collected through loot of public funds is being used for the rally,” said AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal.

Kejriwal and AAP spokesperson Manish Sisodia said in a joint statement that “they (BJP) should reveal the source from where they are getting the money. According to a report, 73 to 75 per cent of their funding is from unknown sources.” On the attack by Congress and AAP, senior BJP leader Vijender Gupta rejected the allegations and said contribution by party workers have helped the party make the arrangements.

On the budget for the rally, Gupta, who is also the convenor of the rally, said “some things have been sponsored. Some of the arrangements have been made by the party’s district units. We cannot give a proper figure.”

The city unit of BJP on Tuesday unveiled a “high-decibel 360 degree publicity campaign” to ensure maximum impact of Modi’s rally in Assembly poll-bound Delhi. The party plans to put up 100 LED screens across the city to show Modi’s speech live, besides making elaborate arrangements for those who will be going to the venue at Japanese Park in Rohini.