AAP to launch fund-raising drive

The AAP will launch a nationwide fund-raising drive called "Clean Money, Clean Politics" headed by party leader Kumar Vishwas.

Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday called upon well-wishers and the public to support the cause and donate funds for party activities.

In a statement, Kejriwal urged the public and party supporters to contribute as per their will and capacity as the AAP has run out of funds.

"Even a contribution of Rs.10 would be a great help to continue the clean politics in the country," he said.

Kejriwal said the people of India created a historic example by shunning the parties with millions of rupees in their kitty.

"We were penniless and without any credit or bank balance but we could face the parties with donations in millions from corporates because of the common man's support," he said.

"After the government formation in Delhi, whatever cash the party had is over. We need money to run the party, for its day-to-day expenses," he said.

"You may say he is a strange chief minister, asking for money even after becoming the CM. But this is the difference. If I had to earn money using wrong means, I could have and there was no need to appeal. But I don't intend to take that route of corruption," Kejriwal said.

The opposition criticised the move to generate funds for the party's daily expenses.

Reacting to Kejriwal's appeal, Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay said: "The reports of the ruling AAP's coffers going empty seems just another gimmick to gain public sympathy by Arvind Kejriwal."

He said ruling party legislators were on one hand enjoying big salaries and perks, and on the other, the party convener was urging the public to donate funds.

"It seems that Kejriwal's political clan wants the people of Delhi to bear all their household expenses or else it is a gimmick to control the damage caused to the AAP's image due to corruption and cheating by its MLAs," he said.