Congress asks MPs, ex-MPs, ex-MLAs to donate for party fund

Cash-starved Congress has approached its MPs, ex-MPs and ex-MLAs to shore up its finances after the party clocked its worst-ever performance in 2014 Lok Sabha polls winning only 44 seats.
AICC treasurer Motilal Vora has written letters to all 44 Lok Sabha MPs and 65 Rajya Sabha MPs asking them to donate their one month salary, while the Delhi unit of Congress yesterday had a meeting at which ex-MPs and ex-MLAs were asked to deposit Rs 1 lakh each for party fund by the first week of October.
AICC general secretary in-charge for Delhi P C Chacko and DPCC chief Ajay Maken will meet the ex-MPs and ex-MLAs individually tomorrow to discuss the issue, the sources said adding that it is not an isolated example and all states have been asked to pitch in to create a robust fund for the party.

The state leadership have also been asked to rope in the party ministers and ex-ministers to mop up resources while the AICC will be asking ex-Union Ministers, who served in either or both UPA or UPA II governments to liberally help the party in the hour of need, the sources said.
The upper limit for seeking donation from party leaders is not limited to Rs 1 lakh and in cases it could go up to even Rs 5 lakh.
A party leader speaking on the condition of anonymity said that there is "nothing wrong" in party falling back on its leaders and cadres to help Congress stand on its feet financially when it is out of power after ruling the Centre for 10 years.

"Earlier also MPs, MLAs and MLCs from the party used to donate their one month salary in party fund. Now the number of our MPs in Parliament as well as MLAs in states have drastically come down.

"Hence its time that ex-MPs, ex-MLAs, ex-MLCs, senior office bearers of the party, councillors and others, who are capable pitch in," a former party MP said on the condition of anonymity.
The AICC has indicated about the fund scarcity to party leaders over three months back. A number of states have already deposited the money.
The party had also decided to ask Congress workers to contribute Rs 250 annually to the party.

Each worker will be asked to contribute the amount every year as the party plans to make itself self-sufficient, AICC treasurer Motilal Vora had said in July.